So what could recovery from moral injury look like? Soldiers often describe the traumatic events connected with moral injury in terms of split loyalties — of having to make the impossible decision of betraying one ideal for another. Moral injury, seen through Royce’s lens, is less a matter of violating some deeply held moral norm and more a matter of choosing one profoundly important loyalty over another. After all, moral injury often extends to children and families. Focusing on atonement rather than forgiveness may help clinicians, community members, families and friends of veterans who suffer from moral injury begin to chart a path forward from the irrevocable deeds that haunt them.

Source: New York Times December 09, 2017 19:30 UTC