Posted by Professor Comisso
on February 18, 2009, 4:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Essay 2 Prompt"
132.239.208.141
Philo/Poli Sci 27
Ethics and Society, Winter 09
PAPER 2: QUESTIONS
Answer one question, drawing on readings, lectures, and sections discussions. Be sure to give reasons for your answers.
1. The problem of “where to draw the line” is a recurrent one in moral decisions. Often, people take an extreme position just to avoid this difficulty. Take two of the following extreme positions, and discuss whether either is the only--or even the most--coherent position. If it is, say why you can’t draw a line, and explain why the more moderate position is less coherent. If it isn’t, show where you would draw the line and justify that position against alternative views. Be sure to use empirical examples drawn from readings and /or the film to illustrate your arguments.
a. Intentional or foreseeable killing of innocent people, whether for its own sake or as means to an end, is murder under all circumstances, be it peacetime or war. (Anscombe)
b. When a democracy goes to war, no one is innocent. (lecture, discussed also by Ignatieff)
c. “…Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information…or intimidating or coercing him or a third person….is torture…” and…No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat or war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.” (UN Convention Against Torture, Articles 1 and 2)
d. Terrorism is always wrong and cannot be justified under any circumstances. (Khatchadourian)
2. We often hear it said that “all is fair in love and war.” Choose any two of the following theorists and explain whether or not they would agree with this popular adage as it relates to war:
a. Douglas Lackey
b. Elizabeth Anscombe OR Henry Stimson
c. Michael Ignatieff
d. Mark Bowden OR Colonel Matthieu in The Battle of Algiers
If a theorist would not allow any and all means to be used to achieve victory in a violent conflict, what limits does s/he set, and on what basis are those limits justified? If a theorist is not consistent (e.g., s/he allows some forms or degrees of destruction or harm but not others), be sure to note the inconsistency. Finally, comment on whether or not you agree with the theorist and why. Be sure to incorporate relevant cases into your analysis.
3. “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”
--Not very ancient proverb
Khatchadourian gives a concrete and multi-faceted definition of terrorism , and concludes that terrorism is never morally justified. Calhoun, in contrast, finds terrorism far more difficult to define and points out that what one group sees as “terrorism” is often seen from another angle as an act taken in the course of a just war. Both political terrorism and just war use violence to accomplish political goals; as Lackey notes, either may be engaged in by recognized states or by non-state groups, and both involve the death or injury of civilians, whether or not it is intended. Consequently, it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Analyze any ONE of the following, using the arguments of Khatchadourian, Calhoun and Lackey:
a) The use of atomic weapons in the war against Japan, asd discussed by Stimson, Dueck and Anscombe;
b) The 1976 raid on Entebbe, as discussed by Douglas Lackey
c) The actions of the FLN and of French authorities in The Battle of Algiers
Were the acts described examples of terrorism? If you answer yes, explain why and show how someone else might argue that they were not. If your answer is no, explain why and show someone might say that they were terrorist acts. If they were acts of terrorism, does this necessarily make them morally wrong?
Due date: Friday, February 27 (TAs will tell you where to hand in papers)
Length: 7pp. maximum
As always, feel free to visit your TA or Professor Comisso, post questions or comments on the virtual section, and utilize the services provided by the Warren Writing Center.
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