Bombers Quote by Howard Zinn
“The terrorism of the suicide bomber and the terrorism of aerial bombardment are indeed morally equivalent. To say otherwise (as either side might) is to give one moral superiority over the other, and thus serve to perpetuate the horrors of our time.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Ethics of Warfare, 1992
Both suicide bombing and aerial bombing cause civilian deaths, making them morally comparable; claiming one is worse grants false moral superiority and sustains conflict.
In simple terms: Both tactics kill innocents, so they are equally immoral.
Key Takeaway
Recognize equal harm and avoid moral hierarchies.
Themes
ethics
war
civilian casualties
morality
conflict
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- human rights advocacy
- military training
- peace negotiations
Key Concepts
just war theory
moral equivalence
dehumanization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we address civilian harm without false hierarchies?
- Can equal moral scrutiny reduce violence?
A Different Perspective
Moral comparisons can oversimplify complex strategic contexts.
