September 30, 2009

Professor Tamar Meisels warns against a recent philosophical confusion concerning the definition of “terrorism”, which is predominant in the post 9-11 literature thereon. She calls for a strict and consistent definition of “terrorism” as a particular form of political violence, and for its unequivocal condemnation by liberals – left and right. Terrorism is the intentional random murder of defenseless non-combatants, with the intent of instilling fear of mortal danger amidst a civilian population as a strategy designed to advance political ends. Furthermore, she argues that regardless of its “root cause”, terrorism is diametrically opposed to the requirements of liberal morality and can only be defended at the expense of relinquishing the most basic of liberal commitments.