From Flanders Fields to the Moviegoer: Philosophical Foundations for a Transcendent Ethical Framework

by Michael A. Milton

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2019

Overview

How do educators, clergy, attorneys, and the concerned public come to terms with meaningful, workable ethics in an age that eschews any attempt to define truth and error? Michael A. Milton has addressed that question in the new monograph, From Flanders Field to the Moviegoer: Philosophical Foundations for a Transcendent Ethical Framework. Milton draws on English literature, sociology, history, public policy, and theology to mark milestones in the cultural journey from the philosophical crisis after World War I, the end of modernity and the introduction of the “theater of the absurd” in post-modernity. Rather than merely a survey, this monograph proposes a “way forward” in teaching metaphysical ethics. Originally given as a paper before American and British defense leaders in Washington, DC, Milton’s original paper is now expanded for use in undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate classrooms, as well as libraries and professional military education.

Key Features

• Encourages practitioners of ministry, law, medicine, arts, and sciences to better locate the philosophical foundations of ethical education
• Examines the philosophical skepticism of the post World War I era
• Considers the ontological ethical response in the Army Ethics White Paper

Contents

• Introduction
• The Transformative War
• Postbellum Poetry as Signs of Ethical and Philosophical Frustration
• Modernity’s Failure and Postmodernity’s Madness
• Mother’s Knee Ethics or Civic Ethics?
• An Unlikely Case Study in Transcendent Ethics
• Moral Man and Immoral Society: Niebuhr’s Ethic
• A Way Forward

Praise for the Print Edition

From Flanders Fields to the Moviegoer is a history of philosophical ethics between the world wars and down to the present. It focuses on the teaching of ethics in the military, with which Milton is especially familiar. . . . I learned much from his descriptions and evaluations. I hope this book gains a broad readership.

—John M. Frame, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

Dr. Michael Milton offers a thoughtful, historical, and logical solution for some major challenges of the twenty-first-century military: suicides are increasing, PTSD is wanton, and modern ‘philosophies’ are not helping battle-scarred warriors. His proposal to return to a ‘transcendent ethic’ is convincingly ‘on target.

—Douglas E. Lee, Chaplain, Brigadier General, US Army (retired); executive director, Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty

In the end, Milton has successfully pulled from his entire, distinguished career in the academy, church, and military to provide a concise but profound framework to answer the deep ethical questions facing today’s military service members—a bright ray of hope for those facing the dark challenges and memories of war.

—Scott Manor, President and Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Knox Seminary

Product Details

• Title: From Flanders Fields to the Moviegoer: Philosophical Foundations for a Transcendent Ethical Framework
• Author: Michael A. Milton
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 90
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:FLNDRSFLDFRMWRK
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2020-10-06T19:18:19Z

About Michael A. Milton

Dr. Michael A. Milton became the President and Professor of Practical Theology of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte on November 1, 2007, after serving as Senior Pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he conducted a ministry that included a radio and television outreach. This multimedia ministry continues at RTS through The Call with Mike Milton. Dr. Milton’s personal story of moving from orphan and prodigal son – to understanding God’s grace and receiving his adoption through Jesus Christ – informs his frequent motif for offering Christ’s healing to a broken generation. Often his sermons are illustrated with songs that he writes, sings, and performs with guitar. His recording, He Shall Restore, was released in 2006 under the label Music for Missions and is distributed through iTunes. In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Milton holds a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves as a chaplain. Serving on several boards and active in a number of civic organizations, he also maintains a full schedule of preaching and teaching in churches, and at seminaries and conferences.