Does the End Justify the Means?  Analyzing Robespierre’s Rationale for Terror

Does the End Justify the Means? Analyzing Robespierre’s Rationale for Terror

Two quotes are relevant to our discussion and understanding of the TERROR during the french revolution: “By any means necessary” and “does the end justify the means?”  Both of these quotes contain within them assumptions about ethical systems.  They both presume that if the outcome 

How Good People Go Bad: Mob Mentality Understood

How Good People Go Bad: Mob Mentality Understood

From soccer riots to halloween vandalism…Ferguson to France–there are too many terrible examples of rioting and mass violence to count!  But as good historians (and intellectuals) we don’t simply say, “oh man, that was an intense riot!” and dismiss or even acknowledge it.  No, we