"Just following orders"

[generals3]

Evening all, just wondering about that little phrase in the title of the thread.

Why does it hold any weight at all?

As a serious point, why do people even consider it a legitimate reason for anything, it's an order, you can disagree with it. There are consequences to disagreeing (none too pretty for most of them) but still, it's a choice. And for some reason it's always seen as reasonable to suggest that people shouldn't be held accountable for their actions because they were ordered to do so. Despite the fact that it's their choice to carry out the order.

I've always found it a null and void argument not even worth considering, what's everyone elses take on it?

Because if it wasn't important than you would just destroy the foundations of the military system. Armies are extremely hierarchical and the concept of "obedience" and "loyalty until the end" are key for its functioning.

Soldiers are being drilled to say "Yes Sir" without asking any questions. And than people want hold them accountable for doing exactly what society expects them to do.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

So, if someone ordered you to kill someone, with the consequence being that they'll kill you if you don't, you'd take the moral route and sacrifice your own life?

It's easy to pass judgement on someone who was "just following orders" but most of us would do the same if we were actually in that position.

I'd sooner die than kill another. Not an easy choice, but being a part of hatred and murder is worse.

Die now and continue to seek enlightenment in the next life, or murder now and contribute to hatred and destruction. I pick the former. But that's just, like, my belief and stuff, maaan

But then you wouldn't join an organisation that will order you to kill... so it's a bit of a pointless arguement for you! :/

 

[Nantucket_v1legacy]

I once read a poem in GCSE English called Vultures.
That was a poem about a Nazi in a concentration camp and his day to day life and how he copes with what he is doing. It's fascinating.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

So, if someone ordered you to kill someone, with the consequence being that they'll kill you if you don't, you'd take the moral route and sacrifice your own life?

It's easy to pass judgement on someone who was "just following orders" but most of us would do the same if we were actually in that position.

I'd sooner die than kill another. Not an easy choice, but being a part of hatred and murder is worse.

Die now and continue to seek enlightenment in the next life, or murder now and contribute to hatred and destruction. I pick the former. But that's just, like, my belief and stuff, maaan

But then you wouldn't join an organisation that will order you to kill... so it's a bit of a pointless arguement for you! :/

I was more talking about a situation of being invaded or something. I'd like to think I could hold firm in my beliefs, but I'm finding lately that my path is hard to follow. I disappoint myself :/

Aah, I see! Well that makes sence... so you recon in the case of total war, where Aussie land has ben invaded, you think you might follow an order to kill? Or do you think that is something you would already have decided out of desperation/revenge/brovengence before the order would have been given?

The problem with that scenario is it can only apply to military personell still anyway... If I get to the point where I am giving civillians orders, they would be doing it out of faith of my leadership not out of a commitment to actually do it! The 'only following orders' arguement couldn't stick at that point, as they are not under military law to carry out an order!

I appreciate sticking to values though! I beleive that the most important thing in life is having values and sticking to them... this also extends to loyalty to organisations/groups/ people and sticking to your guns if you beleive you are right no matter what!