Soldiers have to make difficult decisions every day that require them to balance their own moral beliefs against the reality of military life. These experiences can have a profound effect on their personal ethics and how they interact with others. In this article, I will explore how soldiers integrate these experiences into their relational ethics by examining four key areas: moral dilemmas, personal values, interpersonal interactions, and social norms.
Moral Dilemmas
Moral dilemmas are situations where there is no right or wrong answer and where one has to choose between conflicting principles. Soldiers often face moral dilemmas when they have to carry out orders that violate their personal values or harm innocent civilians.
During combat, they may be ordered to kill civilians or destroy civilian infrastructure. This can cause inner conflict and emotional distress, which can affect their relationships with other people.
To deal with this, soldiers often try to justify their actions by rationalizing why they had to do it. They might tell themselves that they were following orders, or that it was necessary for the greater good. Some even develop a sense of detachment to avoid feeling guilty about their actions.
This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from others, as well as difficulty forming meaningful relationships outside of the military context.
Personal Values
Personal values are the set of beliefs and principles that guide a person's behavior. When soldiers experience moral conflict, they may question their personal values and re-evaluate what matters most to them. This can result in changes in how they relate to others and make decisions.
Some soldiers who struggle with morality after combat may become more cautious and risk-averse in their personal lives. Others may become more adventurous, seeking out new experiences to fill the void left by their previous life. Still, others may become less trusting or empathetic towards others, feeling betrayed by those around them.
Interpersonal Interactions
Interpersonal interactions refer to the way soldiers interact with each other and with civilians. Moral dilemmas can affect these interactions in several ways.
Soldiers who have participated in atrocities may feel shame and guilt, leading them to avoid social situations or withdraw from relationships. Those who have been traumatized by war may find it difficult to connect with others on an emotional level, making it hard to form intimate bonds.
Soldiers may develop a tendency to judge others based on their own experiences, seeing them as either "good" or "bad" people depending on whether they share similar views on morality. This can create barriers between soldiers and those who do not share their experiences, leading to misunderstandings and mistrust.
Social Norms
Social norms are the rules and expectations for acceptable behavior within a particular society. Soldiers often face pressure to conform to certain social norms, such as those related to gender roles or sexuality. Moral conflict can challenge these norms, leading to further internal turmoil and relationship challenges.
Soldiers who experience moral conflicts may question traditional gender roles, which could lead to tension with partners or family members. They may also struggle with sexual norms, feeling guilty about desires that conflict with their beliefs. These struggles can result in feelings of isolation and alienation, making it difficult to form close connections with others outside the military context.
Soldiers face complex ethical challenges when integrating experiences of moral conflict into their personal lives. These experiences can impact their personal values, interpersonal interactions, and social norms. To manage this, they may use strategies like rationalization, detachment, or re-evaluation of personal values.
These strategies can also cause negative consequences, such as social isolation, relationship difficulties, or moral confusion. It is important for individuals and communities to support soldiers through these transitions, providing empathy, understanding, and guidance where necessary.
How do soldiers integrate experiences of moral conflict into personal relational ethics?
The integration of military service and moral dilemmas is complex and can have long-term consequences on one's personal relational ethics. Soldiers often face difficult choices that challenge their values, beliefs, and principles while serving their country. These experiences may include killing enemy combatants, participating in torture or interrogation techniques, or witnessing atrocities committed by others.