We live in a world full of dangers. Human life is at risk from criminal dictatorships, terrorist attacks, technical disasters and catastrophes of various kinds. In an emergency, is it legitimate to counter such perils if that means that innocent life has to be taken or put at risk of death?

The book gives a moral philosopher's response to this politically, ethically and legally controversial question.

Lothar Fritze ist Privatdozent am Lehrstuhl für Politische Theorie und Ideengeschichte der Technischen Universität Chemnitz und Mitarbeiter am Hannah-Arendt-Institut für Totalitarismusforschung in Dresden.