The Philosophy Meetup – Terrorism: how to define? Is it ever justified?

The monthly Meetup is this Sunday, May 25 at 6:45 PM – 8:45 PM Pacific Time. This month we're meeting in person at the Colorado Center (AKA the Yahoo Center), in their Community Room, 2500 Broadway, Santa Monica, 90404.

If your plans to attend have changed, please update your RSVP.

After the meeting, please join us if you wish at Mel's Diner, a 5 minute drive, 1670 Lincoln blvd at Olympic (Santa Monica 90404), for continuing curiosity and conversation and conviviality. https://melsdrive-in.com/restaurant/mels-santa-monica/
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The winner of the email vote and the topic for Sunday is:

TERRORISM: HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT, AND IS IT EVER JUSTIFIED? Is an act ethically wrong simply because it’s an act of terrorism? Can terrorism be defined impartially?

The 9/11 attacks in New York are seen by nearly everyone as a clear example of terrorism. But, consider other cases that may or may not constitute terrorism, and let’s come up with a definition that covers examples that clearly are terrorism and excludes examples that are not terrorism. For instance, consider the following. The recent assassination of a healthcare CEO due to his business decisions. The 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon. Pilotless drones shooting missiles at militant leaders known to be living among civilians. The kidnapping of innocents for ransom by drug cartels. Environmental activists burning down an SUV dealership, but intentionally not injuring anyone. A cyberattack by an unknown group disabling and damaging millions of computers and shutting down most internet access. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

Each of these cases has been held up as an example of terrorism by one or another government or political theorist, though there is limited agreement on those conclusions. Feel free to bring up your own controversial or borderline example, as well as your reasons why it is or isn't a case of terrorism, and why it is or isn’t justified.
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READINGS for the topic – I have one article for you this time. You might want to inspire and clarify your thinking on the issues by reading it and pondering the topic!

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/terrorism/
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Terrorism aims for an unbiased review of the conceptual issues around the definition of terrorism and the ethical debates about whether terrorism is ever justified. Written by philosopher Igor Primoratz, this 17-page article is more accessible and quick reading than most of the articles in the encyclopedia.
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PARKING TIPS AND DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY ROOM of the Colorado Center (formerly the Yahoo Center), 2500 Broadway, at 25th street, between Cloverfield & 26th, Santa Monica, 90404-3065. Parking is free on Sundays on Broadway & nearby streets, but much of 25th street is off limits; they will ticket you!

The Community Room is directly on Broadway at 25th St, at the corner of the building, a few feet from the "HBO Symantec" sign. It is across the street from the LA Art Institute and a bicycle shop. The room has glass doors and plenty of windows with blinds. If lost, call security at 424-330-3120.