The Issue of Terrorism

Ethical approaches to the issue of terrorism are many. For instance, individual relativism also referred to as subjectivism focuses on the view that an individual is the sole determiner of what is right or wrong.

Thus, if this theory is true, this would apply to what individuals consider correct about ethical questions. Personally I believe that terrorist activities are wrong, and then it is certain that the acts are wrong. On the other hand, cultural relativism, also referred to as conventionalism, supports the view that the only determiner of right or wrong thing experiences similar problems. Therefore, it is evident that both individual and cultural relativism experience problems. This has contributed to the debate on what may constitute one of the strongest ethical issues to counter-terrorism.

An ethical formalism also regarded as retributivism is one of the strongest ethical systems to consider. This puts into consideration that man is remarkably different from other things but have dignity that is based on the ability to make a free choice of what to do with their personal lives (Scheffler, 2006). Individuals have a fundamental moral right to have their choices to be respected, hence making truth and virtues to act as an important guide to behaviors and form a basis of workable principles. An open war on terror may seem like turning fear back upon terrorist insurgents. As stated by Ignatief (2004), in order to prevent a greater evil, it is necessary to do a lesser evil. Hence, an ethical war against terror should not move backwards on progress.