Accounts Quote by Sam Harris
““Nothing in Chomsky's account acknowledges the difference between intending to kill a child, because of the effect you hope to produce on its parents (we call this "terrorism"), and inadvertently killing a child in an attempt to capture or kill an avowed child murderer (we call this "collateral damage"). In both cases a child has died, and in both cases it is a tragedy. But the ethical status of the perpetrators, be they individuals or states, could not be more distinct... For Chomsky, intentions do not seem to matter. Body count is all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris, 2010
The quote argues that moral evaluation must consider intent, not just outcomes, contrasting terrorism with collateral damage.
In simple terms: Intent matters more than results.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions by motives.
Themes
ethics
intent
war
terrorism
collateral damage
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- military decisions
- policy making
- legal judgments
- humanitarian interventions
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
consequentialism
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance intent and outcome in justice?
- Can unintended harm ever be morally excused?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks complexities of moral responsibility in chaotic situations.
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