Special obligations and role morality.

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View Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcBovmGZSPU
Part A
The case study, video, and reading give rise to interesting and difficult moral questions about special obligations. Even if we know that service members have extra moral obligations by virtue of being service members, it is hard to tell how “far” those “extra” moral obligations go. Please respond to the following prompts after reviewing the learning materials for Module 5.
In your own words, define special obligations and role morality.
What kind of special moral obligations are you taking on by entering into military service?
What are the rules that apply to enemy service personnel, and what are the rules applying to foreign civilians?
Finally, do you think the captain of the H.M.S. Alacrity did the right thing by calmly accepting an order that would risk his life and the lives of his crew? Explain.

Part B
Re-read the case study “Per Diem” located on the Module 5 Learning Materials page. You’ve considered what the right thing to do is from the perspective of constraints and consequences.
Now consider special obligations. What kind of special obligations, if any, do you have to your friend Grace?
Do the special obligations you might have to Grace mean that you should falsify your expense report to help her?
How are your special obligations to Grace in tension with considerations of constraints and consequences? (In other words, do your special obligations tell you to do something opposite to what constraints or consequences tell you?)

Sample Solution

Part A: Special Obligations and The H.M.S. Alacrity

Special Obligations and Role Morality:

  • Special Obligations: These are moral obligations that arise from specific roles or relationships we hold in society. For example, a doctor has a special obligation to their patients to provide them with good care. These obligations go beyond general moral principles and are specific to the role.
  • Role Morality: This ethical theory emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the duties and obligations associated with our roles in society. It argues that acting morally often involves following the rules and expectations of our roles.

Special Obligations in Military Service:

Military service comes with a set of special moral obligations. Soldiers take on an oath to defend their country, obey orders, and uphold the law of armed conflict. This includes obligations to:

  • Follow orders: Soldiers are obligated to follow lawful orders from superior officers, even if they disagree with them.
  • Protect civilians: Military personnel have a special obligation to protect innocent civilians from harm during wartime.

 

Use force proportionally: Force should only be used when necessary and to the minimum level needed to achieve a legitimate military objective.

Rules and the H.M.S. Alacrity:

  • Enemy Service Personnel: The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) governs the conduct of war. It permits targeting enemy combatants but prohibits attacks on civilians and those who have surrendered.
  • Foreign Civilians: LOAC protects civilians from deliberate attacks. They should not be targeted unless they are directly participating in hostilities.

 

Captain’s Decision: The video doesn’t provide enough information to definitively say if the captain did the right thing. Here’s why:

  • Following Orders: He fulfilled his obligation to follow orders.
  • Protecting Crew: Arguably, he could have questioned the order if it put the crew at unnecessary risk.
  • LOAC Compliance: The video doesn’t clarify if the order violated LOAC by endangering civilians.

Without knowing the specific details of the order and the potential civilian causalities, it’s difficult to determine if the captain made the morally right decision.

Part B: Special Obligations and Per Diem

Special Obligations to Grace:

The nature of your friendship with Grace determines the special obligations you might have. Close friends often have obligations to:

  • Offer support: This could include emotional support, practical help, or even financial assistance in certain situations.
  • Be honest and trustworthy: Friends should be able to rely on each other’s honesty.

Special Obligations vs. Constraints and Consequences:

In the “Per Diem” case study, your special obligations to Grace (offering support) conflict with both constraints and consequences:

  • Constraints: Company policy prohibits falsifying expense reports.
  • Consequences: Falsifying reports could lead to your termination and damage your reputation.

Tension Between Obligations:

Your obligations to Grace (friendship) tell you to help her, but the constraints (policy) and consequences (loss of job) tell you not to falsify the report. This creates a moral dilemma.

Possible Solutions:

  • Explore Options: Can you help Grace in another way that doesn’t involve falsifying the report?
  • Explain the Situation: Honesty is important in friendship. Can you explain to Grace why you can’t help her with the report?
  • Report Unethical Practices: If lying on reports is a systemic problem, consider reporting it to the appropriate authorities.

Ultimately, the decision rests with you. However, by understanding the competing obligations and potential consequences, you can make a more informed and responsible choice.

 

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