2017: Reconstructing Civility - Modes of Engagement for 2017
Presentation Title
Keywords
security; philosophical perspectives
Description
Security is a politically powerful concept. When someone claims that their security is threatened, it often feels as if we should stop talking and start acting. This is a mistake. The ambiguity of "security" requires us to ask: What goods do we want to secure? How much insecurity are we willing to tolerate? What other values are we willing to sacrifice in order to secure those goods? The invocation of security is just the beginning of the conversation.
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Is Security a Conversation-Stopper?
Security is a politically powerful concept. When someone claims that their security is threatened, it often feels as if we should stop talking and start acting. This is a mistake. The ambiguity of "security" requires us to ask: What goods do we want to secure? How much insecurity are we willing to tolerate? What other values are we willing to sacrifice in order to secure those goods? The invocation of security is just the beginning of the conversation.
