About Us

Case Western Reserve University

CWRU is a vibrant center of philosophical and empirical research in military ethics. Faculty from numerous departments and schools in CWRU lead the field in thoughtful scholarship on topics such as legal approaches to war crimes, the neuroethics of dehumanization, the role of the warrior’s code in modern warfare, and more. These works share a common thread of meaningful, tangible impacts on the world. School of Law Co-Dean Michael Scharf is known worldwide for his vital work for the International Criminal Court, where he aids in the identification and prosecution of war criminals. Likewise, Inamori Professor in Ethics Shannon E. French’s original work on warrior codes lead her to define warrior values and help develop and deliver education, training programs, and presentations on ethics for officers and troops in the U.S.Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force.

Our innovative philosophical work is complemented by empirical research that sheds light on psychological and biological elements of key issues in military ethics. Philosophy professor and researcher Anthony Jack recently authored work (in collaboration with Shannon French) on dehumanization and neuroethics in a military context and presented sessions at two of the most prestigious military ethics global conferences. CWRU Law Professor Max Mehlman has become an expert on military bioethics and won an NIH grant to study the ethics of bio-enhancement in the military. CWRU also hosts a wide range of expert scholars who offer courses that cover relevant topics in military history, international relations, human rights, comparative religion and even wartime journalism (from Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Professor Jim Sheeler).

Join us today and work with these scholars to apply principles of ethics in the many arenas of military ethics, and gain a background in the philosophical foundation of military ethics.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences houses educational and research programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, physical and biological sciences, and mathematics.

The college is organized into 21 academic departments and several interdisciplinary programs and centers, including the Center for Policy Studies, International Studies, Evolutionary Biology, History and Philosophy of Science, Teacher Licensure, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Undergraduates as well as graduate students are encouraged to conduct independent research, in their chosen fields or related ones, within the college, in other units of the university, or in nearby medical and cultural institutions. The academic experience can extend into the community in the form of service-learning projects as well as internships in research institutions, businesses, cultural institutions, and governmental agencies.

Case Western Reserve School of Law

Our law school is nationally recognized for their international law, health law, and intellectual property law programs. Leadership courses and real-practice experiences are infused throughout our innovative curriculum. Its law faculty are ranked 25th in the nation in scholarly impact. They are noted experts in their fields, and their first priority is the success of our students. We have a welcoming, friendly environment that encourages collaboration between professors, administrators, staff, students, and alumni.

Students in the Military Ethics Master’s program are welcomed into law school courses and encouraged to take advantage of our extensive law library and knowledgeable, experienced faculty.

Department of Philosophy at Case Western Reserve University 

The department’s course offerings are designed not only to provide knowledge and skills required for students whose main interest is in philosophy, but also to educate students in general about the intellectual issues that a reflective person is likely to encounter in various contexts of civilized life. The department emphasizes the relevance of philosophy to mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities and arts, and law.

Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence

The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence was created in July 2006 as the result of a generous gift from Kazuo Inamori and the Inamori Foundation of Kyoto, Japan. Dr. Inamori, founder of the Kyocera Corporation, believes that “people have no higher calling than to serve the greater good of humankind and society” and “the future of humanity can be assured only through the balance of scientific progress and spiritual maturity.” The Inamori Center has also become a founding member of the new international consortium The Compass Group, established to grow and enhance the academic study of applied military ethics around the globe.

The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence is dedicated to exploring ethical issues from a global perspective, to nurturing international awareness and understanding of our common humanity through the study, teaching and practice of ethics, and to the pursuit of excellence in all human endeavors.

The Center is charged with creating internationally recognized programs and initiatives devoted to ethical inquiry in both its practical and theoretical aspects, and to facilitating the development of future leaders who will, in the words of Dr. Inamori, “serve humankind through ethical deeds rather than actions based on self-interest and selfish desires.”

The Military Ethics Community

The Inamori Center is also an institutional member of the active European division of the International Society for Military Ethics, Euro-ISME.  In addition, the Inamori Center is a member of CETMONS (Consortium on Ethics, Emerging Technology, Military Operations, and National Security), and is a frequent partner with the Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London.  ISME is an organization of military professionals, academics, and others formed to discuss ethical issues relevant to the military.

Questions?

Please call 216.368.2810 or email militaryethics@case.edu.