Philosophy Of Terrorism

The philosopher and the terrorist. Why Sartre visited Andreas Baader

by Ruud Welten

English version of chapter from 'Zinvol Geweld' English version of chapter from 'Zinvol Geweld'

The roots, practices and consequences of terrorism: A literature review of research in the arts and humanities

by Alistair McFadyen

Co-authored with Kim Knott, Seán McLoughlin, Matthew Francis in 2006 for the Home Office. My colleague, Matthew Francis has done further work beyond this report on radicalisation and the move to violence.

A review of Humanities Literature that at the time was infrequently consulted by policymakers. The report provides an... more A review of Humanities Literature that at the time was infrequently consulted by policymakers. The report provides an analytical framework within which to think through issues of radicalisation and the move to violence, the 'sacralised' worldview of terrorist actors, extensive discussions of Islam which set Muslim communities in the global and postcolonial as well as the British context and the concept of fundamentalism.

Sorel, Nietzsche and ethical reasoning about violence: further thoughts on ‘Justifications for violence’, K. Magill, in L. Kurtz ed. The Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, Academic Press, 2008 (2nd Edition)

by Kevin Magill

Unpublished: originally written as part of 'Justifications for Violence' (http://wlv.academia.edu/KevinMagill/Papers/449679/Justifications_for_Violence) but cut to keep to word limit.

Discusses claims and arguments, not considered in 'Justifications for Violence', against the idea of reasoning morally... more Discusses claims and arguments, not considered in 'Justifications for Violence', against the idea of reasoning morally about violence.

Justifications for Violence

by Kevin Magill

10,000 word essay, published in Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, 2nd edn, ed. Lester Kurz, Elsevier, 2008.

See also 'Sorel, Nietzsche and ethical reasoning about violence: further thoughts on "Justifications for violence" ...’ http://wlv.academia.edu/KevinMagill/Papers/515618/Sorel_Nietzsche_and_ethical_reasoning_about_violence_further_thoughts_on_Justifications_for_violence_K._Magill_in_L._Kurtz_ed._The_Encyclopedia_of_Violence_Peace_and_Conflict_Academic_Press_2008_2nd_Edition_

Examines various arguments about whether and under what circumstances political violence can be justified and how they... more Examines various arguments about whether and under what circumstances political violence can be justified and how they can be employed in thinking ethically about violence. It begins by looking at arguments about the justifiability of violence that draw on major ethical theories such as deontology, utilitarianism and consequentialism. It then discusses more specific considerations and arguments concerning obligations to obey the law, the relationship between violence and reason, and between violence and democracy, and whether our duties and obligations regarding the use of violence are universal in scope or are limited by national, religious, community and class affiliation. Finally, it makes some novel suggestions about the overall purpose and conduct of discussions about the justifiability of violence in political theory and philosophy.