Morals under the Gun: The Cardinal Virtues, Military Ethics, and American Society

by James H. Toner

James Toner argues that the cardinal virtues are and must be the core values of the military. By embracing these values, the profession of arms serves as a moral compass in an increasingly confusing age. Building upon a bold introduction, which includes what many will regard as a surprising view of military ethics, Toner examines the four cardinal virtues―wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice―and places each in the context of a compelling case study from recent U.S. military history.

He discusses the Flinn Case, the Lavelle Affair, a B-52 crash in Washington State, and the courageous actions of Hugh Thompson after My Lai. Morals Under the Gun connects ethics and moral theology with the armed services, demonstrating that the task of preserving virtue, both personal and professional, is a noble, if imperfectible, task.

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just another boring rant by yet another Christian conservative. There are dozens of things wrong with this book.

First he talks about our morals have degraded. When were we a more moral nation? When we could discriminate on the basis of race, sex, and ethnicity?

Second, he hoists the old canard that Rome fell from a lack of temperance which is just flat out wrong.

There is a ton more wrong with this book, I have posted a more details review on Amazon, but this books is really lacking.