A filosofia moral kantiana e a ética militar no paradigma do exército brasileiro

Abstract

The military activity, as currently structured, cannot dispense with the knowledge of its philosophical bases for the performance of its functions within society. In this sense, the military experiences several situations that result in accountability both in the legal sphere and in morality sphere for their actions. Military Ethics in Brazil is based on three dimensions: the consciousness of duty, the military punt’honor and the decorum of the class. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant proposes, in his moral philosophy, the ethical foundations that set the bearing on human moral compass. The present study exposed Kantian concepts that can be brought to employment in Military Ethics, such as the concepts of Goodwill, action for duty, and moral autonomy. It also presented the senses of reverence for moral law, categorical imperatives and humanity as an end in itself, seeking to highlight its applications in military activities, particularly in the paradigm of the Brazilian Army. Next, it proposed to apply Kantian moral philosophy to one of the highest moral dilemmas of military activity: War. Finally, it concluded that we should structure a study on military ethics at all stages of the military career, highlighting the importance of Kantian moral philosophy for the foundation of these principles.