Directed-Energy Non-Lethal Weapons: An Evaluation of Their Ethical Use and Potential Applications

Non-Lethal Weapons (NLW) are not themselves a new or game-changing technology. However, new forms of NLW enable a standoff capability previously only available from traditional or lethal systems. These system architectures rely on directed acoustic or electromagnetic energy to achieve a desired effect in their targets, whether personnel or materiel. As with many emerging and game-changing technologies, political and ethical concerns, alongside technical ones, affect the development of Non-Lethal Weapons. The end result is a debate between NLW advocates who favor utility-based arguments and NLW opponents who point to less quantifiable issues with the use of such systems. This chapter aims to bridge the divide between the two sides of the debate and to illustrate that NLW are not only useful systems but also to explore inherent problems in the three primary arguments against their deployment. NLW are a greater ethical good than either lethal (or permanently-harming) force or the lack of action that results in further losses. Politically, the treaties that would govern NLW deployment and use either do not address these systems directly or indirectly encourage their use by advocating for minimizing collateral damage. Lastly, concerns about the “slippery slope” of NLW technology development is a logical fallacy based upon the erroneous concept of “cerebralcentrism” and the assumption that NLW provide an oppression capability not currently possible with traditional lethal force.