On its face, spying and counter-intelligence activities seem morally suspect. They tend to involve sneaking, deceiving, and manipulating, as well as various forms of betrayal, treachery, and disloyalty. Yet intelligence and counter-intelligence operations are mainstays of any modern state. Are we to conclude that these activities are wrong, but nonetheless necessary, given the realities of modern politics?
In Spying Through a Glass Darkly: The Ethics of Espionage and Counter-Intelligence) (Oxford UP, 2022), Cécile Fabre) develops an intricate account of the morality of spying and counter-intelligence activities. She argues that routine espionage activities are morally justified – and sometimes obligatory – as a means to thwart violations of fundamental rights. However, she also argues that familiar forms of *mass surveillance *are unjustified.
Robert Talisse)* is the W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.*
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