In modern society, the term Terrorism, carries with it a nebulous connotation. The term, tainted by its perception, is inherently misconstrued and demonized. In public dialogue, it is immediately sensationalized by the media, hotly discussed by the people, quickly vilified by politicians, and overly generalized by the masses. Its mention and increasing global occurrence triggers an intense negatively charged emotional response that is forever associated with the 2015 November Paris Attacks, the London Bombings, 11 September Attacks, the “War on Terror,” Jihadists, and numerous stereotypes and mischaracterizations. Yet, nowhere in the discussion is the rhetoric being examined. Nowhere in the discourse do questions arise about the roots and branches …show more content…
Morality is defined as “morally permitted or warranted, supported by the balance of human reason” (Corlett 114). Meaning that moral justification must not be based on the mindset of any terrorist, but must be judged with all things and persons considered. In further explanation, this premise maintains that one man’s terrorist, cannot be another man’s freedom fighter for the reason that morality entails all persons considered and not just two opposing parties interests. Immanuel Kant, in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, also supports this necessity in morality stating “moral laws must hold for every rational being” (Kant 325). Kant further his claim by positing that a morally valid action, is an action completed out of necessity and is valid “as a basis of obligation” (Kant 314). Reason therefore solidifies the universal moral need to comply with the law. In addition to the moral parameter, a neutral and holistic framework of what the moral nature and conditions of terrorism are must be …show more content…
The former, terror, is an instance of fear or anxiety. It is the “various forms of psychic terror, whether self-induced or stimulated by art, religion, or indoctrination (e.g the terror of divine punishment or retribution)” (Wilkinson 8). The latter, Wilkinson argues, is “the use of coercive intimidation by revolutionary moments, regimes or individuals for political motives” (Wilkinson 8). Wilkinson’s concept of terrorism resonates closely to that of the task force President George W. Bush assembled after the 11 September Attacks. The President’s task force defined Terrorism as the “threatened or actual use of force or violence to attain a political goal through fear, coercion, or intimidation.” The language here reflects that terrorism is not inflicted for its own sake, but to reach some political, social, or economic