معرفی
Pauline Shanks Kaurin is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, within the School of Humanities. She is a prominent military ethicist specializing in civilian-military relations, moral philosophy, and public philosophy.
Her research focuses on ethical issues at the intersection of military and civilian life, particularly examining military moral exceptionalism, professionalism, and the cultural divide between the armed forces and the society they serve. She advocates for accessible philosophical writing and actively engages the public through digital platforms like Twitter, where she discusses national security, ethics, and democratic values.
Her 2017 article analyzing Defense Secretary James Mattis' remarks sparked widespread discussion on the implications of military moral superiority narratives. The article, originally published by Just Security and republished by Newsweek, critically explored how such rhetoric might influence civil-military dynamics and democratic norms.
- Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Pacific Lutheran University
- Researcher in military ethics and public philosophy
- Contributor to Just Security and Newsweek
- Active public intellectual using social media for philosophical discourse
Dr. Shanks Kaurin mentors students in philosophy and ethics, particularly those engaged in military ethics and ROTC programs, though specific advisees are not listed. She does not appear to lead a formal lab or research center but contributes to interdisciplinary dialogues on ethics and national security. Her work bridges academic scholarship and public engagement, aiming to strengthen democratic civil-military relations.
