Terrorism: a bad argument

It is wrong to suppose that that is all that is to be said. At least the following requirements must be met, for the argument to be valid.

1. Better reasons must be given for acting on the overriding right than on the infringed right.
2. The moral objective justifying the infringement must have a realistic prospect of achievement.
3. The infringement is necessary in that no morally preferable alternative actions can be substituted.
4. The infringement must be the least possible infringement, commensurate with achieving the primary good of the action.
5. The negative effects of the infringement must be minimised.
6. The agent must act impartially in regard to all affected parties; that is, the agent’s decision must not be influenced by morally irrelevant information about any party

It does not follow that every action we might take to protect ourselves against tyranny is justified, especially if it weakens our defenses against terrorism.