ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ethical dilemmas of terrorism and counter-terrorism, to relate them to their broader impact on global security and to develop some guiding principles, consistent with our cosmopolitan ethics, for counter-terrorism and for those struggling against grave injustice. Terrorism raises a particular ethical and legal dilemma. On one hand, it can be thought of as a form of armed conflict and ethical standards by which it can be judged are to be found in the international law of armed conflict. On the other, its effect is especially shocking because it takes violence into everyday contexts and into zones of peace. The chapter also argues that the power of bad actions to turn into bad precedents and norms is a powerful argument against both terrorism and emergency ethics. Such a concern should be should be considered by those seeking to struggle against injustice, and also by policymakers involved with counter-terrorism and national security.
