ABSTRACT
The philosophical interest of terrorism is due partly to the fact that the term is notoriously difficult to define, and partly to the fact that there is some disagreement about whether and when terrorism so-called can be justified. In 1986 the Vice-President’s Task Force on combating terrorism said terrorism is ‘unlawful use or threat of violence against persons or property to further political or social objectives usually intended to coerce a government, individuals or groups to modify their behaviour or politics’. Modern terrorism is not necessarily arbitrary in its choice of victims. Modern terrorists do not always slaughter randomly chosen persons; they sometimes attack specific victims. A terrorist action is carried out for political or other social purposes, including certain kinds of large-scale mercenary purposes, by individuals or groups. Terrorism consists of violent actions carried out for political or other social purposes, including some large-scale mercenary purposes, by individuals or groups or states.
