I think people are using the wrong words here to get their point across: "question[ing] the ethics" for examples. There is no *ethical* question here. There are people who feel that learning on round gauges is the best way to learn and there are others who believe that learning on modern equipment that the pilot is actually more likely to use when they first step into an airplane is the best course of instruction. There are probably pros and cons for each approach. Time marches on and so does the technology and training techniques.
One we are fighting in my profession right now is the use of simulators for actual tactical situations. How much actual flight time are they going to replace with simulator time? Certain types of flights lend themselves to simulator training (smart weapons e.g.) whereas BFM just can't be simulated in the same way.

USMCFLYR