Can ordinary soldiers disobey orders if they think the harm or suffering will be too great? What about military leaders?

Please read: Amartya Sen, The Idea of Justice, Ch. 3, 75-81; Ch. 4, 91-96; Ch. 9, 194-96, 205-14; Ch. 13, 261-78; Ch. 14, 291-301
The book is attached.

Question #1: After you finish this session’s reading, read the opening two sections of Sen’s chapter 10 carefully (this was notpart of your assigned reading on purpose). In light of what you noticed in the assigned reading, consider what Sen (in chapter 10) describes should happen in the debate between Arjuna (the military leader) and his charioteer (the god Krishna in disguise).
Krishna advises Arjuna he should just do his duty, which is to fight and win the battle. According to Krishna, Arjuna should not worry about the consequences of the battle (people/relatives/friends suffering and dying). Sen argues that there is a problem with Krishna’s argument and that Arjuna should think about the harm and suffering the battle will cause. Do you agree with Sen? Why or why not? Can ordinary soldiers disobey orders if they think the harm or suffering will be too great? What about military leaders?

Question #2 ( 6-7 sentences ) Discuss something that has sparked your interest in the readings.

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