Primoratz also explores the argument that, regardless of the innocence of the victims, sometimes perhaps terrorism may be justified if a greater good can be achieved through terrorism for larger numbers of people. A philosophical investigation will be essential reading for researchers and students of philosophy and politics, and the general reader seeking to understand and evaluate acts and campaigns of terrorism. Malden, ma wikipedia citation please see wikipedias template documentation for further citation fields that may be required. Terrorism is a delict that requires multilateral cooperation, moreover because of its transnational dimension. Explain treatybased crimes relevant for prosecuting acts of terrorism, whether at the national or international level. Whether it can be justified is an empirical question. The different legal systems and government draw divergent definitions of terrorism. A philosophical investigation ebook written by igor primoratz. Identify and discuss some of the reasons for, and implications of, the absence of a universally accepted definition of terrorism at the global level. Germany under nazi rule has been described in this way. A philosophical investigation fills a gap in the literature on terrorism and as such will be beneficial to anyone hoping to address this. The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. The general assembly despite many years of debate, the general assembly has thus far been unable to agree on a definition of terrorism. These searches were performed during january and february 2012.
He adopts a wide definition of terrorism, and goes on to distinguish two different types. Another good example of a mainstream definition is provided in c. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading terrorism. A philosophical investigation kindle edition by primoratz, igor. The international community has not formed an agreed and binding definition of terrorism to the world. On primoratzs definition of terrorism article in journal of applied philosophy 81. Later examples of state terrorism include the police state measures employed by the soviet union beginning in the 1930s, and by germanys nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. Yet terrorism, its definition, causes, and methods of dealing with it, has rarely been dealt with in high school courses. But i must start with a few words on the definition of terrorism. In their book political terrorism, schmidt and youngman cited 109 different definitions of terrorism. On primoratzs definition of terrorism, journal of applied. Especially valuable is his discussion of state terrorism. The author draws on a number of disciplines including sociology, psychology, and history to help clarify matters of terrorism that defy simle definitions and categorization.
Igor primoratz writes on the nature of terrorism and whether it is possible to defend terrorist attacks in isolated cases. The definition of terrorism will affect communication and response to this issue and so have consequences for society and politics. This chapter is an attempt at a definition of terrorism that will capture the trait, or traits, of terrorism which cause most of us to view it with repugnance. Armstrong 1991 journal of applied philosophy wiley online library. After presenting his definition of terrorism, primoratz evaluates consequentialist and deontological justifications of terrorism. Primoratz provides an account of terrorism which addresses the topic with the clarity and insight it deserves. The federal bureau of investigation fbi categorizes terrorism in the u.
Also included are four case studies, showing how the concepts and arguments philosophers deploy in discussing violence, war and terrorism apply to particular instances of both insurgent and state. In the consequentialist context, i look in particular into leon trotskys classic defence of the red terror. Terrorism is almost always morally unjustified, but. Israels state terrorism by lev grinberg, published on monday, april 1, 2002 by tikkun magazine michael stohl, the superpowers and international terror, paper presented at the annual meeting of the international studies association, atlanta, march 27april 1, 1984. According to igor primoratz, both the nazis and soviets sought to impose total political control on society. Primoratz on terrorism, journal of applied philosophy 10. In the light of these comments i shall then make a few remarks on counterterrorism. The performance of violent acts, directed against one or more persons, intended by the performing agent to intimidate one or more persons and thereby to bring about one or more of the agents political goals bauhn 1989.
These difficulties came up, as the word terrorism, relates to emotions of public at. Igor primoratz 1997 journal of applied philosophy 14 3. On primoratzs definition of terrorism on primoratzs definition of terrorism sinnott. A search of the printed literature was performed with the assistance of the charles sturt university library gregor bruce using the key words of terrorism and definition.
Those who are morally perplexed by terrorism should read this book to find out precisely why it is morally unacceptable. It will certainly be a good way to simply look, open, and also read guide terrorism. Army manual definition terrorism is the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful. Such a definition should be morally and politically neutral, and facilitate, rather than preempt, a wellfocused moral debate. Igor primoratz defines terrorism as the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people, with the aim of intimidating them, or other p. It has also been argued that states participate in international terrorism, often by proxy. These aggrieved groups share two essential characteristics.
Flora jacobs definition of terrorism socratic hive. Dealing with terrorism has become the centerpiece of u. If this is out of sight of what is presupposed weekly in the chatter of the senate and the house of commons, it is not accompanied by the dismal assumption that it is a simple truth of fact. We will also identify constructive lessons from the literature and evidence on current programmes to counter terrorism, such as prevent, 5. However, certain issues in the definition of terrorism still remain unresolved, some are1. Terrorism professor igor primoratz bok 9781403918161. Ali khan terrorism sprouts from the existence of aggrieved groups. Military actions primarily directed against noncombatant targets have also been referred to as state terrorism. The definition of terrorism has found to be controversial. Definition of terrorism social and political effects. The definition of terrorism has proved controversial. Terrorism, then, is the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people, aiming to intimidate some other people into a course of action they otherwise wouldnt take. Coady, define terrorism as politically or ideologically motivated violence targeting innocent people. Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the united states for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom.
Igor primoratz defines terrorism as the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people, with the aim of intimidating them, or other people, into a course of action they otherwise would not take. Terrorism can dramatically influence the world, as shown by the farreaching and prolonged effects of the attacks in new york on 11th september 2001. Igor primoratz defines terrorism as the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people, with the aim. A philosophical investigation, by igor primoratz publication is always being the most effective close friend for investing little time in your office, night time, bus, and everywhere. He investigates the main ethical approaches to terrorism. Leading philosophers, such as igor primoratz and c. Igor primoratz defines terrorism as dl the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people with the aim of intimidating them, or other people, into a course of action they otherwise would not take. Prominent philosophers discuss definitions of terrorism, various approaches to its. Primoratz argues that terrorism is almost absolutely wrong. Igor primoratz seeks to overcome relativism and double standards that often plague debates about terrorism. Abstract my aim in this paper is not to try to formulate the meaning the word terrorism has in ordinary use. An earlier, shorter version of the first three sections of this chapter was read at the workshop terrorism and justice at the centre for applied philosophy and public ethics, university of melbourne, on november 2, 2001, and published in t.
State terrorists can use force or the threat of force, without declaring war, to terrorize citizens and achieve a political goal. No international definition of terrorism has been acknowledged for the moment. While the attacking government may see these kinds of attacks as legitimate, can the same logic of legitimacy be applied and accepted if it were carried out. For example, the bombing of guernica has been called an act of terrorism. However, as shall be shown, igor primoratz does consider fear the essential characteristic of terrorism, even though it does not form part of his definition. Primoratz s first chapter is still essential, on definition. My answers to these questions lead up to the following definition. Terrorism and the ethics of war by stephen nathanson. My aim in this paper is to offer some comments on these two topics.
Igor primoratz 2008 stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Yet, each type of network or terrorist cell has criminal intentions limited by finite capability. It provides a clear definition of terrorism, an analysis of what makes terrorism morally wrong, and a ruleutilitarian defence of noncombatant immunity, as well as discussions of the allied bombings of cities in world war ii, collateral damage, and the clash between rights theories and utilitarianism. In an effort to assist teachers in helping their students identify and understand terrorism, the united states institute of. The morality of terrorism igor primoratz abstract in this paper a sequel to what is terrorism.
Forms of terrorism threats range from nonstate transnational networks with global reach capability such as alqaida, terrorist cells affiliated with regional or international aims, or individual selfradicalized and unaffiliated terrorists with single issue agendas. Philosopher igor primoratz provides four reasons why he believes that state terrorism is typically morally worse than nonstate terrorism. This definition states that terrorism is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the united states or of any state to intimidate or coerce a. Oct 26, 2012 with this definition logic in mind, he sees the us bombing of hiroshima and nagaski as an act of terrorism and the bombing of german cities by the allies during ww2 as acts of terrorism. Also included are four case studies, showing how the concepts and. With regard to the problem of defining terrorism, the dominant approach. Scholars, politicians, security experts and journalists, all use a variety of definitions of terrorism. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read terrorism. On primoratz s definition of terrorism article in journal of applied philosophy 81. By flora jacobs 2018 the task of defining terrorism is a complex and convoluted one, with even the united nations undecided on a universal decision after many years of discussion richards, 2014. He argues that definitions of terrorism cannot be based on the identity of those resorting to it and must therefore be extended to include state terrorism. Hinman, university of san diego igor primoratz has given us a thoughtful, nuanced philosophical discussion of the concept of terrorism and a provocative analysis of two specific cases of terrorism. Definitions of terrorism wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Coady and primoratz define terrorism as violence against noncombatants or.
In both cases, primoratz s definition fails because it includes an activity that would not commonly be called terrorism. Primoratz also says that in terrorism proper which he distinguishes from violence employed in selfdefence, war, guerrilla war in particular, and political assassination the causing of fear and coercion through fear is the objective 4, here the terror. In chapter 1 he analyzes common and academic definitions of the term and argues for four defining traits of terrorism. It provides a clear definition of terrorism, an analysis of what makes terrorism morally wrong, and a ruleutilitarian defence of noncombatant immunity, as well as discussions of the allied bombings of cities in world war ii, collateral damage, and the. But lack of agreement on a definition does not mean. Read primoratz on terrorism, journal of applied philosophy on deepdyve, the largest online rental service for scholarly research with thousands of academic publications available at your fingertips. The manner, in which the terrorist attack was launched, had shaken the entire world in general and united states of america in particular. The natural response, therefore, is to restrict the conditions in his definition so as to exclude these activities. The first comprehensive discussion of all the main philosophical issues raised by terrorism against the background of its past and recent developments. Pdf terrorism a philosophical investigation download. A philosophical investigation, by igor primoratz even it is not directly done, you can know even more regarding this life, regarding the globe. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The philosophical issues offers insight into many of the important philosophical issues surrounding terrorism. He argues that definitions of terrorism cannot be based on the identity of those.
The terrorist attack on world trade center and pentagon has given a new dimension to terrorism. Other examples of state terrorism may include the world war ii bombings of pearl harbor, london, dresden, chongqing, and hiroshima an act of sabotage, sometimes regarded as an act of terrorism. Terrorism that is motivated by an absolute belief that an other worldly power has sanctioned, and commanded, the application of terrorist violence for the greater glory of the faith. On the concept of terrorism 195 r 2009 palgrave macmillan 14708914 contemporary political theory vol. Igor primoratz defines terrorism as the deliberate use of violence, or the threat of its use, against innocent people, with the aim of intimidating them, or other people, into a course of. First, because of the nature of the modern state and the amount and variety of resources available even for small states, the state mode of terrorism claims vastly more victims than does terrorism by non.
The use of violence by a nonstate actor against noncombatant targets to cause fear and further political aims. Acts that are committed in the name of faith will be forgiven by the other worldly power and perhaps rewarded in the afterlife. Terrorism is almost always morally unjustified, but it may be justified. Nevertheless, there is no universal legal definition for terrorism.
1104 865 837 1237 1556 1411 1454 271 620 965 562 1667 603 267 1601 1409 1112 78 1600 897 628 1485 1589 1272 118 428 1232 1025 90 1441 1346 1355 81