Islamist terrorism is not only about the terrorists; it is also about their audience. Defining terrorism (a philosophical response) as a type of communicative praxis brings out the important relationship among those who commit terrorism, what they hope to convey and to whom. Such an expanded view provides the opportunity for a greater range of responses than insisting on a superficial family resemblance between Islamist terrorism and early twentieth-century state-run terror. The task becomes not merely to suppress and punish those responsible, but also to reflect on why terrorism is seen to be an option and how to change that situation. Pursuing such a transformation, far from being an instance of capitulation, may in fact provide a better way of living for all concerned. Viewing terrorism as a type of communicative praxis encourages all involved parties to begin a dialogue that may ultimately make further attacks a thing of the past. And that is a response to Islamist terrorism worth pursuing.