SELF-DEFENSE, INNOCENT AGGRESSORS, AND THE DUTY OF MARTYRDOM

On the traditional doctrine of self‐defense, defensive force is permissible not only against Culpable Aggressors but against Innocent Aggressors as well (for example, psychotic aggressors). Some moral philosophers have recently challenged this view, arguing that one may not harm innocent attackers b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Pacific philosophical quarterly Vol. 91; no. 1; pp. 78 - 96
Main Author:	KAUFMAN, WHITLEY
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-03-2010 Wiley-Blackwell
Subjects:	Martyrs Morality Philosophy Self defense Theory of values and moral philosophy Theory of values and moral philosophy. Philosophy of action Self-defense Moral philosophy
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	On the traditional doctrine of self‐defense, defensive force is permissible not only against Culpable Aggressors but against Innocent Aggressors as well (for example, psychotic aggressors). Some moral philosophers have recently challenged this view, arguing that one may not harm innocent attackers because morality requires culpability as an essential condition of being liable to defensive force. This essay examines and rejects this challenge as both a violation of common sense and as insufficiently grounded in convincing reasons from moral theory.
Bibliography:	ArticleID:PAPQ1359 istex:2C55DF3113089CC8090F281608F7CE3494541FA6 ark:/67375/WNG-XR9R6Z5S-J
ISSN:	0279-0750 1468-0114
DOI:	10.1111/j.1468-0114.2009.01359.x