Virtue in Violence: The Moral Foundations of Military Character
A presentation in which Dr. Triana integrates his Lived Experience as a war veteran and tens thousands of hours immersed in the lives of patients (Practical Wisdom: Phronesis) with his Intellectual Life as faculty (Empiricism and Rationality) addressing:
How to have a military of sufficient courage, strength and resolve to protect from any enemy, no matter how fierce or bold, yet still reflect the values of a civilized society?
What fundamentally compels ordinary people to protect and secure the lives of others, even if that means the cost of their own life?
Utilizing Haidt’s Virtue Ethics based Theory of Morality (basis of HxA principles and values) as the framework for integration, Virtue in Violence delineates its far-reaching capacity to elucidate moral conflicts and dilemmas:” the moral roots politics”.
As a former Marine Corps sergeant, Dr. Triana served for two tours of duty in Vietnam as a long-range reconnaissance patrol and platoon leader. He was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. Raised in a family of Cuban immigrants and refugees in an inner NYC barrio during an era of urban drug violence, he joined the Marine Corps as a pathway to meaning and purpose.
After Vietnam, Dr. Triana obtained B.A. and M.A. degrees in Religious Studies in Buddhism from the University of Virginia and Master and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School of Social Work including a four-year fellowship in the Mental Health Division at Yale University Health Services, as well as completion of psychoanalytic training at the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis.
In 2022, after 35 years of service, he retired from the UVA faculty. As psychoanalyst, he held joint appoints in the Department of Student Heath and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences. At UVA, he served in several capacities: Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences; a Senior Staff clinician in Counseling and Psychological Services in the Department of Student Health and Wellness.
In addition, Dr. Triana is the former Division Head of Mental Health Services, former Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and the faculty Director for Medical Spanish and Culture in the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities.
As a feature speaker, he has been a guest on the local NPR WMRA radio programs, academic forums, and special interest public events.
As mentioned, Virtue in violence is based on Haidt’s “New Synthesis Theory of Morality” that represents a paradigm shift: a transformative change in the way moral knowledge is constructed, interpreted, and applied within scientific disciplines. His research epitomizes E.O. Wilson’s theory of consilience.” The Unity of Knowledge”: Common principles across biological, psychological and social sciences.
“We believe that virtue theories are the most psychologically sound approach to morality such theories fit more neatly with what we know about moral development, judgment, and behavior then do theories that focus on moral reasoning or the acceptance of high- level moral principles such as justice.”
Haidt argues that human morality is shaped by a combination of innate psychological tendencies and cultural influences. He proposes based on extensive biological and social science research that there are six moral foundations that guide moral judgments: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. These moral foundations are believed to be the building blocks of virtue.
Through his empirical research, Haidt offers valuable insights into the psychological foundations of virtue, emphasizing the interplay between self-regulation, willpower, motivation, and social influences in cultivating positive character traits and ethical conduct. By integrating psychological and biological principles with philosophical concepts of virtue, Haidt’s evinces how individuals can cultivate and embody virtuous qualities in their lives.
Virtue in Violence contends that character is of utmost importance, surpassing intellect in significance that true wisdom and virtue stem from one's character rather than mere intellectual knowledge. Universities should encourage faculty to cultivate virtuous principles and values in their conduct, research and teaching for students to emulate in their intellectual pursuits to become truly enlightened individuals and good citizen.
The Heterodox Academy shibboleth should be:
“Great Minds Don’t Always Think Alike but They Exemplify Character”