The Western Ethical Tradition and the Morality of the Warrior

Abstract

The author argues that Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Machiavelli, Kant, and Nietzsche each contribute to the contemporary understanding of the warrior and his morality. However, none presents what we take to be a complete picture. Our views are a blend of classical and modern elements, and these views change and tend to emphasize various components of classical or modern theory depending on our level of optimism, or cynicism, with respect to the role of the United States in the world order. The article makes the case that by examining the Western ethical tradition as a whole, we will have a more comprehensive understanding of the potential virtues and vices of the warrior morality.