Ethics and the Good Soldier: Character in the Professional Domain

James Arthur · Scott Parsons · Andrew Peterson

Nov 2023 · Taylor & Francis

About this ebook

Building on extensive, internationally leading empirical research conducted by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, this book explores the soldier as a virtuous professional through a close examination of soldiers’ character and ethical reasoning.

Starting from the view that virtues such as courage, honesty, loyalty and integrity are core to being a professional soldier, the book draws on insights from British soldiers at three stages of their career – officer cadets (at Sandhurst), junior lieutenants/captains (attending the Junior Officer Tactical Awareness Course), and senior captains (participating in the Captain’s Warfare Course). Drawing upon the Jubilee Centre’s Soldiers of Character study, the book explores soldiers’ character in the professional domain.

Including clear implications for practice and research, this is essential reading for all those interested in the character of soldiers in both a professional and academic setting.

About the author

James Arthur is Professor of Education in the University of Birmingham.

Scott Parsons is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Character and Ethics Development at the Texas Tech University System. He is a retired US Army Intelligence Officer and spent 2014–2023 as Assistant Professor and Character Development Integrator at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Andrew Peterson is Professor of Character and Citizenship Education in the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, UK.