"…[Challans's] call for reformation combined with a demand for a new set of moral principles to govern the ethical behavior on the battlefield is certain to garner the attention and ire of many readers and military leaders." — Parameters

"This is an important book that needs to be read and taken seriously. If it is, it could be as revolutionary as its subtitle suggests." — CHOICE

"Challans has written a trenchant, robust, and deeply informed critique of current military morality. He attacks the heavily religious slant given to the moral instruction of warriors, the dogmatic reliance on the idea that the sole end of war is victory, and the refusal to teach even officers to think for themselves about the moral issues raised by their profession. Drawing on years of active duty and of teaching ethics at West Point and other military schools, Challans presents positive recommendations for reforming codes of military ethics and methods of teaching them to young soldiers. The book will no doubt infuriate many of the military leaders who are its chief target. It has policy implications going beyond their concerns, however, and it deserves the thoughtful attention of all citizens who are disturbed by the moral lapses of the American military in the past few decades." — J. B. Schneewind, author of The Invention of Autonomy: A History of Modern Moral Philosophy

"Many in the military community will find Challans's criticism of the U.S. warrior ethos troubling. Good. As the most powerful nation in the world, we are obligated to undertake an open-minded examination and discussion of the ethical foundations and moral boundaries of the profession of arms, even if the process causes angst. Challans speaks to us from a unique background as a scholar, a warrior, and a philosopher, and his views should not be ignored. I strongly recommend that all members of the military profession read this text carefully and reflect on the important arguments found throughout. — LTC Paul Christopher, USA (Ret.), author of The Ethics of War and Peace: An Introduction to Legal and Moral Issues, Third Edition

"This is a groundbreaking and potentially controversial book in the context of professional military ethics. It fundamentally challenges the normal ways of teaching ethics in the military." — Martin L. Cook, author of The Moral Warrior: Ethics and Service in the U.S. Military

Preface
Acknowledgments

1. THE UNREFLECTIVE LIFE: THE SLEEP OF REASON

The Myth of Moral Progress

Reflection Deferred and Moral Error
Moral Authority
Lost in the Particulars
The Vices of Virtue
Is Moral Progress without Reflection Possible?

Instrumental Means and Moral Error
Inadequate Decision Procedures
A Philosophical Critical Method
Disregarding Ends: When Means Become Ends
Are Moral Means Possible?

Inadequate Ends and Moral Error
Disregarding Means: When Ends Eclipse Means
Presumed Ends
Deliberating New Ends
Are Moral Ends Possible?

Autonomous Modes and Methods of Philosophical Ethics
The Ethical Principles of War
From Heteronomy to Autonomy: Reformulating Moral Intuitions
Moral Autonomy: Creating Better Understanding and Motivation
Is Moral Autonomy Possible?

The Possibility of Moral Progress