What is your opinion on "I was just following orders"?

Question

When an officer, or a soldier, or anyone causes torture or even death, do you think "I was just following orders" is acceptable?

Answer 1

No it's not acceptable. It's often referred to as the "Nuremberg Defense". This is because the accused Nazi war criminals tried at Nuremberg would routinely defend themselves saying "Befehl ist Befehl", which means "an order is an order". It was not accepted by the court and not accepted in international law.



Incidentally, though, the Bush Administration tried to advocate for some form of the Nuremberg Defense in a new international convention (see link below.)



An interesting corollary, if you've ever seen the movie "Thank You for Smoking" or read the novel, is the Yuppie Nuremberg Defense. Which is justifying doing an immoral job on the grounds that "it pays the mortgage."

Answer 2

I would say it depends on exactly what the orders were and who issued them. Then, I might because you don't say what the exact circumstances were that you are questioning about, nor whether we're talking about a legitimate objective. Commanders in the field are seldom given a justification for the orders they receive. Their job is to accept lawfully given orders and carry them out. Good commanders do not micro manage because they know that unexpected contingencies can arise. As for torture, the urgency of the situation does have something to do with the methods used. sometimes the end justifies the means, sometimes not. But water-boarding did stop a potential hijacking in L. A., if that's what you're talking about. If you disagree, then tell it to the people who were on that flight and let them decide if they would rather be dead.

Answer 3

When I was in the Air Force, the Uniformed Code of Military Justice forbid me from following unlawful orders. Such as being ordered to execute all the prisoners under my control.



The problem being, one has to put up with failing to follow an order and in the case of some countries, if one does not follow the orders they will find someone who will and lop your head off.



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Answer 4

no.

aren't officers and soldiers supposed to protect and DEFEND, and not torture or cause death just because of orders?



Defending and causing pain without reason(the reason behind the order to hurt others) are two completely different things.

Even if the other did attack first and they were trying to get back it doesn't make it right to cause torture. It would be best to kill as quickly and painlessly as possible.



But thats just my opinion. Others will probably disagree.

Answer 5

Well, in military of course they are trained to following orders from their officer but i don't think so the answer is acceptable because it seems showed that the person are not responsible and they are selfish.,trying to get rid in a bad situation and trying to blame others. They should have mercy and high moral of their self as well as think whether its right or wrong to doing that things.

Answer 6

Yes, because the men and women, especially those in the military, are trained to follow orders regardless of moral or legal implications. Those who do not follow a direct order from a superior are subjected to punishment and possible demotion or imprisonment in the stockade

Answer 7

No. Americans or any country that considers themselves to be good should always prove it by taking the moral high ground.

I had a debate about the waterboarding thing with a friend about a month back, he's religious (and conservative) so I just asked him what would Jesus do?

Answer 8

of course not. just because he was following orders doesn't make the orders right.

Answer 9

Totally, where else to get good Vodka? Can they swim to the America's, hostel is boo hoo hoo, also, candy mountain probably isn't that dangerous.

Answer 10

you must prove you were following orders..........

Answer 11

It's their job, yes.