NCJ Number
246322
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2013 Pages: 539-547
Date Published
2013
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This is a critical review of five arguments against the scholarly consensus that individual suicide terrorists are rational actors.
Abstract
This is a critical review of five arguments against the scholarly consensus that individual suicide terrorists are rational actors. The first three arguments are analytic, meaning that they hold that suicide terrorism is inherently irrational, based on assumptions regarding the nature of the perpetrators' interests as individuals. The fourth argument is empirical, based on alleged evidence of suicide terrorist psychopathology. And the fifth argument is pragmatic, based on the strategic implications of conceding the status of rationality to enemies. This article highlights weaknesses in these arguments and considers assessing the rationality of suicide terrorists by measuring their act to cultural or community goals subject to a division of labor principle.