Brookfield Basics

Socrates and Aristotle on Suicide Bombers

Posted by Tom Gehl on Aug. 24, 2010 | 2 comments

The great founder of philosophy and of the concept of liberal arts education, Socrates once remarked to a student, who supposedly was meandering on without much of an objectively identifiable foothold, "If you would speak with me, you must define your terms".

This quote from antiquity came to mind this morning when I saw another in the sadly long line of headlines referring to so called "suicide bombers".

Suicide....................Really?

While it is true that such bombings or shootings result in the death of the perpetrator, his or her own death is most certainly NOT the objective.  The clear and sole objectives are mass homicide, the  instigation of social terror and unrest, and the attendant advancement of some political cause celebre.  THAT is the objectve - the death of the perp. is just the price paid to obtain it.  

Aristotle, buidling on what Socrates and Plato left for him, wrote an essay entitled A is A, the premise of which holds that all proper and effective analysis begins with accurate recognition and discernment of what is real.

I believe both these giants of Western thought might have labeled suicide bombers for what they are - HOMICIDE bombers and terrorists.

They would have done so not out of hatred or derision for any particular individual or group.  


They would have done so because they were interested in viewing things rightly.