Self-defense, agency, and morality

In this thesis, I argue that a defensive act is morally justified only if it is directed at a person who knows or should know that his actions create a threat for another person. It is not enough that the person who is the object of a defensive act be posing or creating a threat. I also argue that the aggressor or attacker need not be culpable to justify a defensive act. However, I do argue that considerations of culpability are of moral importance to self-defense theory when applying the conditions of proportionality and necessity.