Morality and Ethics at War: Bridging the Gaps Between the Soldier and the State

In Morality and Ethics of War, which includes a foreword by Major General Susan Coyle, ethicist Deane-Peter Baker goes beyond existing treatments of military ethics to address a fundamental problem: the yawning gap between the diverse moral frameworks defining personal identity on the one hand, and the professional military ethic on the other. Baker argues that overcoming this chasm is essential to minimising the ethical risks that can lead to operational and strategic failure for military forces engaged in today’s complex conflict environment. He contends that spanning the gap is vital in preventing moral injury from befalling the nation’s uniformed servants. Drawing on a revised account of what he calls ‘the Just War Continuum’, Baker develops a bridging framework that combines conceptual clarity and rigour with insights from cutting edge psychological research and creates a practical means for military leaders to negotiate the moral chasm in military affairs.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Moral Frameworks, Identity and Character 2. War and the (Bounded) Moral Neutrality of the Liberal Democratic State 3. Moral Pain and Moral Injury 4. Bridging the Gaps 5. Risk Factors and Risk Mitigation 6. A Common Approach to Military Ethical Decision-Making 7. Targeting, Strategic Impact and Distributing the Risk of Harm 8. Partners and Surrogates 9. Deception at War Conclusion: A Commitment to Moral Leadership in Complex Operations Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Deane-Peter Baker is an Associate Professor of Ethics at the University of New South Wales, Australia; a Visiting Research Fellow in the Kings College London Centre for Military Ethics, UK; and a Research Associate in the Centre for Applied Ethics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Previous books include Citizen Killings (Bloomsbury 2016) and Just Warriors Inc. (Continuum 2010).

Review :
Deane-Peter Baker's Morality and Ethics at War is an extraordinarily valuable addition to the field of Military Ethics. His insights on ethical leadership and moral injury are grounded in both the latest research and the lived experience of those who serve, expressed in clear, compelling prose - an absolute must read! An outstanding book: perceptive, incisive, and thought provoking. Deane Peter Baker guides the reader through the deep interplay between the liberal democratic state, just war reasoning, and notions of collective and individual identity, as he explores the psychological and other harms experienced by the modern combatant in complex and evolving battlespaces. Morality and Ethics at War is essential reading for everyone who studies - or is engaged in - the politics, ethics or practice of modern war. Morality and Ethics at War markedly advances our understanding of the unseen wounds that inflict the men and women we send to fight our wars. By tracing the causes of moral injury to deeper sources than previously theorized, Baker uncovers pioneering approaches to prevention and healing. While academics will appreciate the scholarly contribution, those preparing to lead troops in combat will find this book readily accessible and abundantly practical. Morality and Ethics at War is a must-read for students and practitioners of military ethics, but also for defence leaders and policy makers. Baker offers a compelling explanation of the uniquely human characteristics and moral dangers of modern warfighting and then persuasively argues how the Guardian ethos best endures the moral and psychological burdens of combat.