CASE STUDY

A soldiers thinking about war may change during his service. For example, after experiencing his first real battle and seeing human beings lying dead or in pain, a soldier might be prompted to embrace pacifism and request or transfer to a non-combat unit. Such a request would not be looked on favorably by his superiors and usually would be denied. Because the man had accepted training as a combat soldier, they would reason, he would be obligated to finish his term of service. Is this reasoning morally sound? Would it be morally acceptable for the soldier to continue fighting, even though he objected to it on principle?"

Key terms:

Obligation virtues; Good-promoting virtues; Limiting virtues.

Case study guideline:

1. Summarize the main problem and its setting. List possible ways of responding to the problem:Clearly identifies the problem of the case using elaboration/ examples and/or the relevant concepts. Identified from the reading assignment and clearly defined all moral principles and theories that are most directly applicable to the problem.

2. Identify and justify the one moral principle or theory from the reading assignment that you think is best: Acknowledges the existence of more than one point of view in the reading assignment. Explains why the other possible points of view are unacceptable to directly address the identified problem.

3. MLA.