Is there anything ethically wrong about psychological warfare?

Answer 1

In what capacity do you mean? That's quite a broad term, and I would think there would be some ethical boundaries that could be crossed depending on what it is.

Answer 2

It's hard to argue that any kind of war is 'right.'

I think once you've decided that it's a good idea to kill a rival nation's soldiers, playing mind games with them shouldn't be a source of much concern.

For instance, in Iraq, there was a massive psy-ops campaign that probably did lead to the army deserting and surrendering in greater numbers than would have happened otherwise. That saved many Iraqi lives and probably no few American lives, as well.

Of course, it also left Iraq completely leaderless and lawless, when an orderly surrender would have been much better for the subsequent stability of the country.

Answer 3

Not really. Psychological warfare would mean that you did something to affect an intangible part of a military. For example, it would be something that would lower their morale and get rid of their desire to fight. Now the means to do something like that, that might be something that might be ethically questionable on personal standards. But there has been justification on all levels for things that most people wouldn't do.

Answer 4

Depends, is there anything wrong with commercials on TV? how about ads in your new paper? it is basically the same thing. We are trying to change there mind and make them think it was there idea. You know kind of like a wife would do to a husband.

There is more direct versions of PsyOps, most notable to anyone over 30, Manuel Noriega, we use bright lights and loud rock music to make him give up. The point was to make him so uncomfortable that he either gave himself up, or someone in the house did. And if you remember it worked with out a shot fired. Winning of hearts and minds.

Answer 5

First - war is not ethical. But, I can't see why psychological can not be used away from civilians (of course this would be like dropping bombs on civilians which has been happening all through this war.)

Answer 6

I don't know. Does it make you mad to know you've been fooled? Does it make you mad to know that nobody knows what the truth is anymore? Its deception. Mind control. It might be better than bullets and bombs. It depends on a lot of things.