Social inquiry: A pragmatist analysis of just war theory explanations of terrorism
Abstract
The aim of this project is to provide an analysis of just war theory as an explanatory model for terrorism. To do this I make use of the philosophical work of two American pragmatists, John Dewey and Alain Locke. I first explicate the concept of social inquiry in the work of Dewey and then elucidate Locke’s conceptions of pluralism and relativism in order to provide a theoretical foundation for criticizing just war theory’s treatment of terrorism and offering an alternative approach to theorizing about terrorism. Following this I examine the respective axiological theories offered by Dewey and Locke in order to consider the importance of value in understanding terrorism. Finally, I end by offering a criticism of just war theory as an explanatory mechanism for terrorism on the basis of the earlier work on Dewey and Locke.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Harris, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Philosophy|Political science
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