In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin and Capt. Ben Ordiway to discuss moral reasoning and ethical leadership.
Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin is professor and Admiral James B. Stockdale Chair in Professional Military Ethics. She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Temple University and specializes in military ethics, “just war theory” and philosophy of law and applied ethics. She is author of “On Obedience: Contrasting Philosophies for Military, Community and Citizenry” and “Achilles Goes Asymmetrical: The Warrior, Military Ethics and Contemporary Warfare.” She served as a contributor for The Strategy Bridge and has published in War on the Rocks, Clear Defense, The Wavell Room, Grounded Curiosity, Newsweek and Just Security. She is a member and serves on the board of directors for the Military Writers Guild.
Capt. Ben Ordiway is a Civil Affairs officer with previous experience within the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade. He is currently pursuing a masters in philosophy at the University of Michigan. This summer he'll begin an assignment as an instructor at the United States Military Academy, where he'll instruct cadets in philosophy and officership. Ben's work on moral reasoning and an associated moral decision-making process is sponsored by the leadership of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). If you'd like to reach out to Ben for questions, feedback, or ideas on this topic, email him here: bordiway@umich.edu.