The word at Fort Leavenworth on moral growth, or not, among West Point cadets
Kids, you can’t make this stuff up. Our recent discussion of character and ethical issues (like sadism coexisting with an honor code) at West Point provoked this note from a Best Defense reader : “For what it’s worth, a recent ‘tiger team’ study by a team of colonels was recently presented here at the CGSC ...
Kids, you can't make this stuff up. Our recent discussion of character and ethical issues (like sadism coexisting with an honor code) at West Point provoked this note from a Best Defense reader :
"For what it's worth, a recent 'tiger team' study by a team of colonels was recently presented here at the CGSC ethics symposium. It briefed character development at West Point when compared to other college-level institutions. The briefer said the results of the study were rejected. Its conclusion was that 'Bible schools showed the least moral growth -- but they did show growth. West Point showed a diminution of principled moral reasoning in its graduates.' The data indicated this diminution was specifically associated with the first class cadets. So much for improvement."
Kids, you can’t make this stuff up. Our recent discussion of character and ethical issues (like sadism coexisting with an honor code) at West Point provoked this note from a Best Defense reader :
“For what it’s worth, a recent ‘tiger team’ study by a team of colonels was recently presented here at the CGSC ethics symposium. It briefed character development at West Point when compared to other college-level institutions. The briefer said the results of the study were rejected. Its conclusion was that ‘Bible schools showed the least moral growth — but they did show growth. West Point showed a diminution of principled moral reasoning in its graduates.’ The data indicated this diminution was specifically associated with the first class cadets. So much for improvement.”
More from Foreign Policy
What Are Sweden and Finland Thinking?
European leaders have reassessed Russia’s intentions and are balancing against the threat that Putin poses to the territorial status quo.
The Window To Expel Russia From Ukraine Is Now
Russia is digging in across the southeast.
Why China Is Paranoid About the Quad
Beijing has long lived with U.S. alliances in Asia, but a realigned India would change the game.
Finns Show Up for Conscription. Russians Dodge It.
Two seemingly similar systems produce very different militaries.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today from Foreign Policy’s newsletter writer Colm Quinn.
By signing up, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to occasionally receive special offers from Foreign Policy.