Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism
In the light of the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians in Israel on October 7th, some contend that “The imperative to protect human dignity only applies absolutely if it applies universally, and it only applies universally if it applies absolutely.” In the face of evil,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Max Steinbeis Verfassungsblog GmbH
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Verfassungsblog |
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| Online Access: | https://verfassungsblog.de/moral-absolutism-in-the-wake-of-terrorism/ |
| _version_ | 1797643190132539392 |
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| author | Vicente Medina |
| author_facet | Vicente Medina |
| author_sort | Vicente Medina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the light of the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians in Israel on October 7th, some contend that “The imperative to protect human dignity only applies absolutely if it applies universally, and it only applies universally if it applies absolutely.” In the face of evil, there is no room for relativism. Hamas’s deliberate attack against innocent civilians is absolutely wrong. Therefore, it should be universally condemned. I agree with the above conclusion. However, I wonder how a universal recognition of an absolute duty of respect for human dignity can help solving the existential conflict confronting Israelis and Palestinians. Ideally, a two-state solution proposed by the international community can be seen as a reasonable and fair compromise. Nevertheless, the reality on the ground is different. This blog post explores the downstream consequences - and hurdles - of moral absolutism in times of war, terror, and existential crisis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:11:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13dcac6f898a49309950e25deacbb681 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2366-7044 |
| language | deu |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:11:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Max Steinbeis Verfassungsblog GmbH |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Verfassungsblog |
| spelling | doaj.art-13dcac6f898a49309950e25deacbb6812023-11-01T18:29:49ZdeuMax Steinbeis Verfassungsblog GmbHVerfassungsblog2366-70442023-10-012366-704410.59704/39a7d52bbb2b8ec1Moral Absolutism in the Wake of TerrorismVicente MedinaIn the light of the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians in Israel on October 7th, some contend that “The imperative to protect human dignity only applies absolutely if it applies universally, and it only applies universally if it applies absolutely.” In the face of evil, there is no room for relativism. Hamas’s deliberate attack against innocent civilians is absolutely wrong. Therefore, it should be universally condemned. I agree with the above conclusion. However, I wonder how a universal recognition of an absolute duty of respect for human dignity can help solving the existential conflict confronting Israelis and Palestinians. Ideally, a two-state solution proposed by the international community can be seen as a reasonable and fair compromise. Nevertheless, the reality on the ground is different. This blog post explores the downstream consequences - and hurdles - of moral absolutism in times of war, terror, and existential crisis.https://verfassungsblog.de/moral-absolutism-in-the-wake-of-terrorism/hamasHuman DignityIsraelPalestineTerrorismWar |
| spellingShingle | Vicente Medina Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism Verfassungsblog hamas Human Dignity Israel Palestine Terrorism War |
| title | Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism |
| title_full | Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism |
| title_fullStr | Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism |
| title_short | Moral Absolutism in the Wake of Terrorism |
| title_sort | moral absolutism in the wake of terrorism |
| topic | hamas Human Dignity Israel Palestine Terrorism War |
| url | https://verfassungsblog.de/moral-absolutism-in-the-wake-of-terrorism/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vicentemedina moralabsolutisminthewakeofterrorism |