The Spiritual Dimension of Moral Injuries

Moral injuries caused by participating in, failing to prevent, or merely witnessing inhumane or violent acts are a special type of trauma. As a manifestation of a specific form of reactive attitude, they have a cognitive, implicitly evaluative component in addition to the emotional one. In the particular case of moral injuries, it ­primarily concerns the fundamental question of the meaningfulness of a moral world, which addresses the spiritual dimension of ­morality. This is reflected in the descriptions of those affected, who often speak of a loss of trust in the ability and motivation to act morally, as well as of massive alienation. Their moral identity is shaken by perceived moral failure, and this is accompanied by (self-)condemnation, feelings of shame, guilt, or anger, and often a withdrawal from social relationships.

Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s reflections on dealing with extreme injustice, the struggle with moral injuries can be described as a struggle to feel at home in the world again. The starting point for a possible reconciliation with reality is not only the perceived ­violation of deeply rooted moral beliefs and values and the associated feelings, but also an intersubjective consideration from the standpoint of reason that may help to modify and, if necessary, revise the moral judgment of those affected.

Integrating the spiritual dimension into therapy is supported by the fact that it brings into play dimensions of experience that, like moral injury, relate to the whole of human existence, such as the experience of guilt and sin, as well as mercy and forgiveness. Regardless of the specific religious connotation and the material definition of such terms, they refer to the common humanity of all people, which at least exists as a moral disposition, and the resulting need for a moral culture that bestows meaning.