Steve G. Di Domenico

Moral and Ethical Relativism and the Us Armed Forces: a Course for Effectiveness? Steve G. Di Domenico

There exists certain principles that are immutable and transcendent, and if followed will produce effectiveness. These principles are immutable because they are derived from an immutable source. Indeed, our country was founded upon these principles. These absolute truths do not change with societal whims. The military, as an institution of the state, should uphold good and restrain evil. Any abdication on ethical issues because of the changing societal mores can mean only that the institution designed to protect that society can no longer do so effectively because it has become corrupt itself. This is why military professionals should and are held to a higher standard. A standard clearly defined and practiced by our forebears. Unfortunately, a movement from absolute truths to relativism has caused a crisis in ethical and moral behavior in our society and consequently the military from whom it derives its constituents. We must understand these foundational truths of our society and military, reaffirm them, resist social progressives (the new absolutists), and reassert the primacy of personal character.