Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to determine under what circumstances a military officer should disobey or refuse to follow a superior order and also what additional actions the officer should take if he does not follow the order. Within a profession in which loyalty and obedience are valued so highly, there is often a reluctance to discuss the problem of superior orders. The problem is discussed from the perspective of the junior officer. Immanuel Kant's ethics are used as the basis for determining whether or not the order should be followed. Case studies from engineering ethics are examined to determine what avenues of dissent are available in that field. Military examples are then used to determine which of these avenues may be useful and appropriate for military officers