Final answer:
Moral principles or values governing military professionals are informed by a mix of societal norms, legal statutes, philosophical discussions, and ethical frameworks. These principles encompass the belief that military ethics are socially constructed, and include legal and moral duties, requiring soldiers to act in accordance with societal and leadership expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The body of moral principles or values governing military professionals is comprised of the rules and standards that guide the conduct of individuals serving in the military. These principles are derived from a range of sources, including the theory of normative relativism, which suggests that ethics and morality are social constructs influenced by culture and situation. Moral principles in the military context are legally and morally binding, integrating both societal norms and legal statutes.
Theory from sources like Sun Tzu's The Art of War emphasizes factors such as the Moral Law, which aligns soldiers with their leaders, and the role of the commander, who embodies virtues like wisdom and courage. These principles foster unity and effective leadership within the military. Moreover, philosophical discussions on good citizenship and government obligations touch upon morality in the context of a soldier's duty to follow orders and the potential justifications for government actions.
Discussions in On Morality by Lowell Kleiman highlight the debate over whether there is a universally valid code of conduct akin to objective facts in mathematics. Similarly, moral principles in the military are often influenced by a combination of nature, society, law, and reason. The idea that morality is a social phenomenon is articulated in understandings of moral development, recognizing that morality and ethics are pivotal in situations where individuals live and work together, such as in the military.