In this workshop led by philosopher and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel & General Inspector of the Montana National Guard Charles Phillips we’ll explore just war theory, rules of engagement, and ethical dilemmas faced in combat. This gathering will involve indoor & outdoor time w/ hands-on activities, discussion, and plenty of time for Q & A.
We’ll begin with an overview of just war theory accompanied by stories of deployment (including discussion about rules of engagement and escalation of force restrictions). Then we’ll look at three combat scenarios (experienced/faced by our guest speaker during his deployment in Iraq). In the process, we’ll explore what kinds of ethical considerations come into play and how, based on these, one might respond. We’ll finish our workshop by returning to just war theory and reflecting on its importance for our military (as well as the challenges involved with deliberating best courses of action).