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Top 10 Ethical Dilemmas in War Movies

  

Category:  Religion & Ethics

Via:  buzz-of-the-orient  •  7 years ago  •  2 comments

Top 10 Ethical Dilemmas in War Movies

Top 10 Ethical Dilemmas in War Movies


Dead civilians, suicidal orders, and the ethics of war.





War is generally considered to be an intense business. The choices made in war, also tend to matter a bit more than those made in another environment, like, for example, selling insurance in an office. Consequently, wars tend to lead to important moral and ethical dilemmas. Choices like whether to attack a terrorist, if you know in doing so you'll also hurt civilians. Or, whether to follow orders, when you know that doing so could lead to your own death. These are ten films that offered interesting, fascinating, or just downright fascinating moral and ethical dilemmas.

(Note from Buzz)  Recently there have been articles posted on NT about ethical dilemmas, one about a runaway street car and another about having to choose between saving a baby or a jar of embyos in a fire.  Here are ten ethical dilemmas in a war situation:  What would you do?

Click this link to go to the article:

https://www.thoughtco.com/top-ethical-dilemmas-in-war-movies-3438689






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Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
1  seeder  Buzz of the Orient    7 years ago

The most recent war movie with a ethical dilemma that I've watched was Crimson Tide.  In my opinion, the right decision was made.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
2  Jeremy Retired in NC    7 years ago

Lone Survivor

The Ethical Dilemma:   As part of a small team behind enemy lines, a civilian uncovers your position. What do you do?

Given the combat situation in Afghanistan, there really are not "enemy lines".  Being that I've been deployed to Afghanistan several times, I can honestly say this decision is made several times a day not only by Special Forces (in this case the SEALs) but all Soldiers.  Every patrol, logistical convoy, air drop and base operation is monitored by the local population.  

Rescue Dawn

The Ethical Dilemma:   As a prisoner of war, you're being asked to betray your country in order to improve your conditions.

To accept anything from the enemy like this would be a violation of Article III of the Code Of Conduct .  After 26 years of service I can only think of one person who would have accepted anything like this from the enemy.  He is currently awaiting his sentencing at Fort Bragg, NC.

Rules of Engagement

The Ethical Dilemma:   You're being fired on from a few selected individuals who are hiding amongst a crowd of protesters. Do you fire back and eliminate the threat even though it means civilians will be killed? Or do you abstain from returning fire, even though it might mean either you or the soldiers you lead getting hurt or killed?

After being in this situation, blindly firing back is not an option.  Just as the title of the movie indicates, there is always Rules of Engangement (ROE) in place for virtually every imaginable situation that can be found in that particular combat zone.  After seven deployments the (ROE) has changed based on the location.  One common item in them all is that in order to return fire, there must be undeniable positive identification of who is shooting.  It does not have to be by name but at least exactly who is firing.

Bridge on the River Kwai

The Ethical Dilemma:   As a prisoner of war, would you endure solitary confinement and torture before you agreed to participate in work routines that were not endorsed by the Geneva Convention?

Just like Rescue Dawn, this comes back to the Code Of Conduct.  Now I imagine some may do the labor but I don't think that they do anything to speed the construction along.  

Platoon

The Ethical Dilemma:   Your peers have participated in rapes and murders. Do you report them? To do so, might mean risking your own life.

This is a no brainer.  Without a doubt it would be reported.  Thankfully the level of professionals that occupy the ranks of our military this type of situation is 1.) not being seen as much as it has in the past and 2.) it is being reported much faster and being handled faster by the command.  

Good article.  

 
 

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