Understanding Terrorism Conference Homepage

Conference Announcement


"Terrorism" has recently become the subject of increased academic interest. Sociological, psychological, political, and economic analyses of terrorism have flourished. But there are also deep *philosophical* issues generated by critical reflection on terrorism that are equally deserving of inquiry. *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What is "terrorism"?** * Do recent terrorist attacks constitute a fundamentally "new" kind of terrorism? * How does our concept of terrorism predispose us to look for technological solutions to non-technological problems? * In what way(s) does terrorism pose a specifically philosophical threat to modernity? * Why might describing the fight against terrorism as a "war on terror" be misleading (or even dangerous)? * In the fight against terrorism, how can we avoid engaging in terroristic actions ourselves? * Are "targeted killings" and preemptive military strikes morally legitimate responses to terrorism? * Do the principles of "just war theory" apply to the fight against terrorism? * Should terrorists be treated as enemy combatants or as criminals? * Is torture interrogation of terrorists ever morally justified? * In a time of personal and national insecurity, why is a reasoned approach to understanding terrorism more essential than ever? *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Two years after the terrorist attacks of 9-11-2001, this conference brings together scholars to explore these and other questions in an environment of open inquiry and dialogue.**

Please note that the papers for this conference are no longer available, either online or by contacting the conference organizer. However, a selection of them will be available Spring 2005 in an edited volume, Philosophy 9/11: Philosophers Look at Terrorism, edited by Timothy Shanahan (Chicago, IL: Open Court Publishing, 2005). Please contact Open Court Publishing for more details.