9/11 Revisited | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J. | September 8, 2006
I.
The fifth anniversary of the wanton destruction of the World
Trade Center Towers is upon us. We ask ourselves: "Were the three thousand
people killed somehow 'legitimate' targets?" and, "What was this attack about?"
On the accuracy and clarity of our responses everything depends, including the
purpose of reason itself. Yet, we are perplexed by the myriad of conflicting
and contradictory explanations for the central cause of this day, now called,
without further reference, "9/11."
The best anyone can do in these circumstances, it seems, is
to provide a solid and well-considered opinion. This is what I shall try to do
here. An "opinion" is an informed judgment based on suitable and available
evidence concerning possible actions or explanations. The opinion on which one
acts could be wrong, but we always act with some lack of clarity. We are
irresponsible in many crucial instances, moreover, if we do not seek to find a
plausible and accurate opinion about human events, about what they mean.
Continue reading...
Very interesting. As usual. Thx.
Posted by: Ed Peters | Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 08:49 PM
Wow, what an excellent summary of all the viewpoints, complete with references. Once again, Father Schall's lucid and thought provoking commentary and analysis is feast for the mind.
Posted by: Brian John Schuettler | Friday, September 08, 2006 at 08:10 AM
Wow. Fr. Schall hit this one out of the park.
Posted by: MenTaLguY | Friday, September 08, 2006 at 09:48 AM
He is a man I hope to emulate when I grow up.
Posted by: Plato's Stepchild | Friday, September 08, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Hmm, the paragraph beginning "In any case, Samir proposes" appears to be repeated twice in the "printer-friendly" version.
Posted by: MenTaLguY | Friday, September 08, 2006 at 03:40 PM
Fr. Schall is my hero.
Posted by: Jackson | Saturday, September 09, 2006 at 11:12 PM
Hmm, the paragraph beginning "In any case, Samir proposes" appears to be repeated twice in the "printer-friendly" version.
Yep. Tis fixed now. Thanks! Yep. Tis fixed now. Thanks!
Posted by: Carl Olson | Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 07:49 AM
What a wonderful article -- my husband and I were discussing this very idea only last night, I arguing that we need to realize that Islam itself is, in a very real sense, the enemy. My own opinion on this is based on the fact that virtually no Muslim leaders condemn the work of the terrorists, and that in many cases their example is held up and eulogized. Compare this to the instant condemnation by the pro-life movement of the bombings of abortion clinics.
Thank you for your courage in writing this.
Kathleen Hughes
Posted by: Kathleen Hughes | Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 09:24 AM