Discussion week 13 | ethics | Berkeley College of New York

From BBC News on the San Bernardino, CA December 2015 killings: “President Obama says the U.S. ‘will not be terrorized’ by the deadly San Bernardino shootings, which the FBI is treating as an act of terrorism.”   Inspired by the aims and ideology of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) which has claimed the two killers as supporters, “Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, killed 14 people before being shot dead by police” (bbc.com/news 12/5/15).

In Paris on November 13, 2015, 130 people were killed by coordinated terrorist attacks in three different locations at the same time.   The French President Francois Hollande subsequently declared “France is at war.  We are in a war against terrorism, jihadism, which threatens the whole world.  Terrorism will not destroy France because France will destroy it” (cnn.com 11/16/15).

And you also know about more recent terrorist killings this year such as the terrorist who used a truck to mow down innocent people, including children, in Nice, France, and more than 80 people were killed.

For our week discussion forum, please answer two of the following three questions but be sure you answer question three as one of the two you’re answering:

[1] In your view, are the terrorists winning?  If yes, then what does that mean and how do you know?  If no, then what does that mean and how do you know?

[2] In the face of today’s terrorism, does the warning of the 19th century German Philosopher apply to us?  How might it relate to just war principles?  Explain.  “Whoever fights monsters should be careful that he does not become a monster.  When you stare into an abyss, the abyss stares back into you” (Beyond Good and Evil, #146).

[3] On her 16th birthday, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzi addressed the U.N. as a devout Muslim who had been shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan in 2012.  Listen to her speech and then share your response to her views on terrorists and how she has chosen to respond.  Is Malala a pacifist?  Is she arguing against just war theory? [LINK (Links to an external site.)]