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289). Coady (cited in Halwani, 2006) points out that lack of a good definition makes it difficult, if not impossible, to address the moral implications of terrorism. Coady defines terrorism as "the organized use of violence to attack noncombatants ('innocents' in a special sense) or their property for political purposes" (p. 290). This definition focuses on the targets, innocent "noncombatants" and does not consider the goals the terrorists aim to achieve. It does specify for "political purposes" rather than criminal, and does not mention causing fear. There exists some disagreement on whether threats, for example, as opposed to real acts, constitute terrorism. If the goal of inducing fear is part of the definition, then threats would be included, but if terrorist goals are limited to "political purposes," then threats would not qualify as terrorist acts.
Coady (cited in Halwani, 2006) points out that some "acts of political violence may be very wrong even when they are not terrorist" (p. 291). This would seem to correct the everyday assumption that all terrorist activity is the worst...
In some rare cases, perhaps terrorism can be justified -- when the Jews drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem, for example, but Fotion (cited in Halwani, 2006) believes terrorists treat the human beings involved as objects, failing to see any humanity in them and thus failing to value human life. Perhaps the question for justification should be whether losing the innocent victims (and how many) results in a greater good. One would also need to question whether some other less painful way (non-violent resistance, for example) could bring about the desired change.
References
Brock, B.L. (2002). The use and abuse of terrorism. The Michigan Citizen (December 1): http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/palmeri/commentary/brock1.htm
Halwani, R. (2006). Terrorism: Definition, justification, and applications. Social Theory and Practice, 32 (2), April, 289-308. Retrieved on February 8, 2007 from Academic OneFile database.
Saul, B. (2005). Definition of "terrorism" in the UN Security Council: 1985-2004. Chinese Journal of International Law, 4 (1), 141. Retrieved on Februray 8, 2007 from Academic OneFile database.
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