Guest in Your Pulpit - Stephen DiLorenzo

Guest in Your Pulpit

Stephen DiLorenzo is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and is a career Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. Stephen holds a M.A. and B.A. in philosophy and focuses his research efforts on the topics of the morality of war, self-defense, and moral injury. Stephen has been in the Army for 20 years, has deployed to Afghanistan, and holds a bronze star medal, combat action badge, and Army aviator badge.

Stephen’s academic and military background give him a unique authority and ability to offer arguments against the dominant views that facilitate militarism and unjust wars.

Besides his academic and professional interests, Stephen enjoys the adventures of family life with his legendary spouse and his wonderful progeny.

Programs/Sermons

  • Below is an abstract of a talk titled “Theories of Self-Defense, Militarism, and Peace.” Besides this Mr. DiLorenzo is qualified to talk about how other misunderstands of morality might lead to militarism, moral injury, and veterans issues.
    Abstract: As our nation celebrates Veterans Day and the rest of the western world remembers past wars on Armistice Day, reflecting on the morality of combatants fighting in wars is especially relevant. This reflection is also in accord with the UU principles that value the search for truth and pursuit of peace and justice. To have productive conversations, philosophy requires and allows us to meaningfully focus in on specific issues while leaving other issues unaddressed. In the expansive topic of the morality of war, the specific doctrine of the “moral equality of combatants” is of central importance. This doctrine holds that combatants on both sides of a conflict hold equal liability to violence. In other words, all combatants can permissibly kill the other side’s combatants irrespective of the justice or injustice of their side’s cause. A better understanding of the arguments related to this doctrine will impact our moral evaluations of veterans' actions and maybe our proclivity to war.

Availability: Within 325 miles of Cornwall, NY or virtually. May need home hospitality depending on distance.

Fee arrangements: Expenses covered for the trip.

Contact: Email Stephen DiLorenzo at stephendilorenzo@gmail.com