Defining Moral Injury: A Natural Scaffold

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Ethics
• Moral Psychology
• Interdisciplinary Studies

Background:

• The concept of moral injury (MI) is increasingly discussed but lacks a robust philosophical foundation.
• Current definitions of MI often rely on subjective moral intuitions, leading to conceptual ambiguity.
• There is a need for a normative framework to prevent definitional drift and ensure objectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the philosophical under-theorization of moral injury (MI).
• To propose a normative framework for MI grounded in natural law theory.
• To enhance the conceptual clarity and interdisciplinary applicability of MI.

Main Methods:

• Systematic conceptual analysis of ethical foundations.
• Application of natural law theory principles (intelligibility, universality, objectivity).
• Delineation of the relationship between ethics, moral conscience, and behavior.

Main Results:

• A normative framework for moral injury (MI) grounded in natural law is proposed.
• Natural law principles are shown to safeguard MI from relativism and ideological influence.
• The framework enhances definitional clarity and strengthens interdisciplinary applicability.

Conclusions:

• Anchoring moral injury (MI) in natural law provides a philosophically rigorous foundation.
• This approach advances the theoretical development of MI.
• The study positions MI as a concept of significant interdisciplinary and societal relevance.