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Proposals for amending the definition of terrorism need to be assessed in terms of their practical consequences and resource implications. The philosophical game of generating counterexamples to proposed definitions is of little value in this context, as in many others.

On this account, defining terrorism is not an abstract intellectual exercise but rather an exercise in ‘pragmatic problem solving in the face of a threat’(Lord Carlile).

If, as some philosophers argue, few words have watertight definitions, terrorism is unlikely to be one of them. The appropriate response is to embrace a pragmatic theory of definition.

that should have been so classified. The definition also generates potential false positives: acts that it mistakenly classifies as terrorism. However, before amending the definition, account needs to be taken of insights from the philosophy of definition.

Recent events in Southport have focused public attention on the definition of terrorism. Some critics see the Southport murders as false negatives for the official definition of terrorism in the UK. On this view, this definition failed to classify as terrorism acts of violence

This year's lecturer is Professor Quassim Cassam, of the University of Warwick, who will be giving a lecture entitled Defining Terrorism: from Emily Davison to Axel Rudakubana:

We’d love for you to join us for these fascinating discussions, and hope to see you there or online. Get your tickets here: www.gla.ac.uk/events/listi... #philofortnight #philosophymatters

or whether their lies serve deeper political and psychological functions, from reinforcing loyalty to demonstrating power. Learn more: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-ph...

Finally, on the 25th March, Jesper Kallestrup will examine why some political leaders choose to tell blatant falsehoods. Exploring the difference between small and big lies, questioning whether demagogues aim to deceive