How Can Human Intelligence Collection Be Morally Justified?

Abstract

This paper is an exploration of the ethics of espionage, specifically as it pertains to the human dimension. In it, I discuss the ethical aspects of some specific cases and questions about which moral theory we should use to evaluate and guide human intelligence (HUMINT) collection operations. The topic will be explored through three major sections. The first section concerns some initial philosophical considerations and questions of the self. The second section is a presentation and analysis of three hypothetical case studies from the field. The final section is a much broader look at the socio-political considerations that are relevant to HUMINT collection. It is my contention that justifying cases of HUMINT collection outside of a utilitarian construct is a challenge. While most HUMINT operations are best justified by utilitarian moral theories, justifying all HUMINT operations in terms of a utilitarian construct creates the potential risk of justifying acts that are so morally egregious that they should never be committed regardless of the potentially positive consequences.