Global terrorism is extreme both in its lack of realistic goals and in its cynical exploitation of the vulnerability of complex systems.
Jurgen HabermasRead
If the September 11 terror attack is supposed to constitute a caesura in world history, it must be able to stand comparison to other events of world historical impact.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that the September 11 attacks should be viewed as a significant turning point in history, comparable to other major historical events.
Jurgen Habermas reflects on the significance of the September 11 terror attacks, arguing that if these events are seen as a pivotal moment in world history, they should be analyzed alongside other historically impactful occurrences. This contemplation urges a deeper understanding of how historical events shape societal perspectives and global relations.
In practice
During a lecture about historical turning points, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of September 11.
Global terrorism is extreme both in its lack of realistic goals and in its cynical exploitation of the vulnerability of complex systems.
I cannot imagine a context that would some day, in some manner, make the monstrous crime of September 11 an understandable or comprehensible political act
The scenarios of biological or chemical warfare painted in detail by the American media during the months after September 11 only betray the inability of the government to determine the magnitude of the danger.
Perhaps September 11 could be called the first historic world event in the strictest sense: the impact, the explosion, the slow collapse - a gruesome reality literally took place in front of a global public.
The difference between political terror and ordinary crime becomes clear during the change of regimes, in which former terrorists become well-regarded representatives of their country.
Today's Islamic fundamentalism is also a cover for political motifs. We should not overlook the political motifs we encounter in forms of religious fanaticism
Ive seen the meanness of humans till I dont know why God aint put out the sun and gone away.
He who only wishes and hopes does not interfere actively with the course of events and with the shaping of his own destiny.
I ask why your Omnipotent God does not hold a man back when he is about to commit a sin or offence. It is childβs play for God. Why did He not kill war lords? Why did He not remove the fury of war from their minds? In this way God could have saved humanity from great calamity and horror.
O Heaven, it is mysterious, it is awful to consider that we not only carry each a future Ghost within him; but are, in very deed, Ghosts!
Night thoughts have a different color than day thoughts, a different slant, more than anything else they know all the secret paths and chinks in the armor they can take advantage of to force their way into consciousness.
Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.