We have seen that the moral deliberation roadmap helps us reflect on questions about moral  action.  The content and validity of particular kinds of questions about moral action are one of those things that moral philosophers and ethicists widely debate.

This week takes on the first factor of the roadmap - constraints. We will explore the idea that considerations of dignity, respect, rights, and justice require us to act in particular ways. We will question whether and how these things act as restrictions or requirements constraining what we can do, what we can not do, what we must do, or what we must not do.

At the successful completion of this week, you will be able to:

1. Evaluate how Kant's Universal Law formulation of the Categorical Imperative functions as a constraint in moral deliberation (A, B)
2. Evaluate the issues created by treating someone as a mere means as argued by Kant and functions as a constraint in moral deliberation (A, B)
3. Analyze how rights function as constraints in moral deliberations by prohibiting actions and explain how Kant's two Categorical Imperative-related tests can help indicate when rights may be threatened. (A, D)
4. Evaluate the role of rights ought to play in military service (A, B, D, E)
5. Evaluate how the principles of universal law and mother means apply to military service (A, B, D,
   E)

READ THIS

• "Constraints" Michael Skerker
• "Kant's Formula of Ends in Themselves" Onora O'Neill

WATCH THIS (Optional)

Think about these things before coming to class

1. How might Kant's categorical imperative illuminate moral reflection on some of the various case studies we've encountered in this course?
   1. How does Kant help shape or reform our moral perception?
   2. How does it relate to our examination of human dignity?
2. What does a consideration of constraints have to say about the role of rights in moral deliberation, particularly in a military context?
3. What do you do when the rights of your subordinates and the rights of enemy combatants appear to clash? What about the rights of your subordinates and innocent non-combatants? 
4. "Constraints" typically conveys the idea of negative restrictions to behavior--they require that you not do certain things. Do you think they also have a positive dimension? That is, do you see your options in a conflict situation restricted in the sense that you sometimes must do certain actions?