The Rev. Kenneth Himes, professor of Christian ethics and former chairman of the Department of Theology at Boston College, was the keynote speaker at the 25th annual ethics lecture, sponsored by the University’s Institute for Ethics.

The topic of Himes’ lecture was drones and the ethics of targeted killing.

Himes spoke at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. The small museum was packed and extra chairs were needed in order to seat everyone who attended the event.

Himes discussed whether or not drone use in warfare is ethical, what makes a terrorist different from an everyday citizen, and what can be considered a part of “just warfare.”

He discussed some of the new approaches the U.S. government is using to fight terrorism, and he told the audience that some of the analogies used by the government regarding drone warfare are inaccurate.

Himes spoke for approximately an hour and fielded questions following his presentation.

“I am glad he talked about drone warfare being compared to a video game,” said one attendee. “I never would have guessed the trauma that the drone pilots go through, and I am glad to see that that analogy is quite inaccurate.”

Himes also talked about how society should consider dealing with perpetrators of terrorism.

“I thought it was a good point when he said that people who were involved in terrorism should be given a second chance, if they provide no reason for concern,” said Katie Augustine, a student who attended the lecture.