Responsible Soldiering in the Nuclear Age: Inferences from the Catholic Bishop's Pastoral on Nuclear War

摘要

This thesis is an attempt to develop an ethic for those who must perform soldierly duties in this era. It is an examination of core values, and how these values have been translated into military ethics and obligations within the context of western civilization. This study uses the most recent application of just war theory, the Catholic Bishop's Pastoral on nuclear war, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, and compares its instruction to selected findings of another contemporary application, the Nuremberg War Trials. The manner in which we construct and reinforce our moral values in conscience, coupled with appreciation for the sanctity of human existence, evolve as fundamental underlying principles. After having established the scope of authority from which the Catholic Bishop's Pastoral derives its credibility, these principles are compared against the United States Army Ethic and a contemporary ethic is proposed. The study concludes that ultimately we are responsible for the decisions and choices that we make. Soldiers are not absolved, especially within the Judeo-Christian context, from the obligation to make choices based upon sound moral reasoning, simply because they are engaged in activities which run against the grain of orderly human existence.