Drone warfare carries a number of implications across political, social, military and cultural spheres. Despite the United States' increased use of drones for targeted killings (or assassinations or murders, depending on your persuasion), and more countries and domestic organizations eager to follow suit, Gregoire Chamayou (Manhunts: A Philosophical History) argues that substantial analysis of these implications from a philosophical perspective is lacking.
Chamayou seeks to deconstruct every positive articulation made by those in the pro-drone camp and to demonstrate that drone advocates are either intellectually dishonest, intentionally obfuscating the realities of their weapons, misinformed or naïve. In revealing the flawed reasoning put forth by proponents of drones--such as false dichotomies (claims that drones are more precise than carpet bombing, as if carpet bombing is the option that would be employed otherwise) and category errors (proponents call drones a more humane or humanitarian weapon, but nothing that is designed to kill can be truly humane)--Chamayou dismantles the notion that drones are a fully positive development for society. His argument that the drone violates all standards of Just War theory is particularly poignant as he notes that this technology shifts the focus of our society from ethics (living and dying well) to what he terms necroethics (killing well).
A Theory of the Drone, while challenging in its propositions, is necessary and compelling, as these pilotless aircraft are gradually becoming normalized. --Evan M. Anderson, collection development librarian, Kirkendall Public Library, Ankeny, Iowa