Deane-Peter Baker Livres

In Morality and Ethics of War, which includes a foreword by Major General Susan Coyle, ethicist Deane-Peter Baker goes beyond existing treatments of military ethics to address a fundamental problem: the yawning gap that exists between the diverse moral frameworks defining personal identity in a multicultural society on the one hand, and the professional military ethic on the other. Baker argues that overcoming this chasm is essential to minimising the ethical risks that can lead to operational and strategic failure for military forces engaged in today's complex conflict environment. He contends that spanning the gap is vital in preventing moral injury from befalling the nation's uniformed servants. Drawing on a revised account of what he calls 'the Just War Continuum', Baker develops a bridging framework that combines conceptual clarity and rigour with insights from cutting edge psychological research and creates a practical means for military leaders to negotiate the moral chasm in military affairs.

Exploring the intersection of Reformed epistemology and Charles Taylor's philosophy, Deane-Peter Baker highlights the overlooked connections between these two influential thinkers. The book delves into how their ideas can complement each other, addressing gaps in their respective works. By drawing parallels and examining their implications, Baker presents a compelling case for the relevance of both perspectives in contemporary philosophical discourse. This insightful analysis invites readers to reconsider the relationship between faith and reason through a fresh lens.

Images of killer robots are the stuff of science fiction – but also increasingly of science fact on the battlefield. Should we be worried about this, or is this a normal development in the technology of war? In this accessible volume ethicist Deane-Peter Baker cuts through the confusion over whether lethal autonomous weapons – the so-called ‘killer robots’ – should be banned. Setting aside unhelpful analogies taken from science fiction, Baker instead looks to our understanding of mercenaries (the metaphorical ‘dogs of war’) and weaponized animals (the literal dogs of war) in order to better understand the ethical challenges raised by the employment of lethal autonomous weapons (the robot dogs of war). These ethical challenges include questions of trust and reliability, control and accountability, as well as motives and dignity. Baker argues that while each of these challenges are significant, they do not – even when considered together – justify a ban on this emerging class of weapon systems. This book offers a clear point of entry into the debate over lethal autonomous weapons for students, researchers, policy makers and interested general readers.