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Applying An Ethical Theory

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Running head: MILITARY ETHICS 1
Military Ethics
Name
Institution

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MILITARY ETHICS 2
Military Ethics
Introduction
Military ethics is very critical to a country as well as the military group, as such, it is very
important for every military personnel to adhere to the ethics. The ethical issues that are of
importance include, situations where military force is applicable for a group or country, when the
military is allowed to kill and when the use of controversial weapons is forbidden. The main
ethical question is, can the military justify their actions based on the set ethics or sometimes
the rules are compromised?
Utilitarian theory is an ethical theory that is used to justify military war. The theory states
that an individual should capitalize on the utility of the majority population, therefore if through
actions that are generally considered wrong, the majority of the population benefits, then the
wrong actions can be justified (Calhoun, 2001). Therefore, through actions like killing and use
of deadly military weapons in war, the general public gets to benefit by being protected, then the
military actions are justified. The theory views actions like the military killings as not only
allowed but also as an obligation of the military to protect the majority from the negative effects
of the opponent.
However, as much as the brutal military acts are to benefit the majority of the population,
the minority too has the right to be protected since they are still human beings. If for instance the
military is killing a group of terrorist attacking a nation, it is unjustifiable since the terrorists
have to be given a fair hearing in court so as to establish what action should be taken on them.
As such, the utilitarian theory in many situations denies the minority justice.

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Running head: MILITARY ETHICS 1 Military Ethics Name Institution MILITARY ETHICS 2 Military Ethics Introduction Military ethics is very critical to a country as well as the military group, as such, it is very important for every military personnel to adhere to the ethics. The ethical issues that are of importance include, situations where military force is applicable for a group or country, when the military is allowed to kill and when the use of controversial weapons is forbidden. The main ethical question is, can the military justify their actions based on the set ethics or sometimes the rules are compromised? Utilitarian theory is an ethical theory that is used to justify military war. The theory states that an individual should capitalize on the utility of the majority population, therefore if through actions that are generally considered wrong, the majority of the population benefits, then the wrong actions can be justified (Calhoun, 2001). Therefore, through actions like killing and use of deadly military weapons in war, the general public gets to benefit by being protected, then the military actions are justified. The theory views actions like the military killings as not only allowed but also as an obligation of the military to protect the majority from the negative effects of the opponent. However, as much as the brutal military acts are to benefit the majority of the population, the minority too has the right to be protected since they are still human beings. ...
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