The Morality Of Torture Is Always Morally Wrong

Torture is something that is known as wrong internationally. Torture is “deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting on the orders of authority, to force a person to yield information, to confess, or any other reason” (World Medical Association, 1975, pg.1). There is a general consensus that there is a right to be free from any kind of torture as it can be found in many different human rights treaties around the world. The treaties show that all of the thoughts about torture are pointing away from the right to torture someone no matter what the case

With his article “The Case for Torture” Levin has made his readers think over what the differences between the death penalty and torture. Levin provides evidences and asks questions to lead his readers into forming their own opinion on whether torture is totally unacceptable in any situation or not. But it is clear by the end of the article where Levin stands on the topic of

In contrast, some individuals may debate that torture and even some more minuscule forms of torture can be beneficial to obtaining the information needed. It is debated that torture has been used in a large portion of political systems in history, and that the “degree” of torture is a significant component when deciphering right vs. wrong. Moher argues that in a political system where torture is justifiable and legal, the torture used would be less extreme than what it is today (Moher, 2013). It is reasoned that different degrees of torture are more acceptable than others, in that some are less psychologically and physically harming. A

David Figueroa Eng. 101A Professor Stern 4/20/15 Final draft In conclusion, in discussions of torture, one controversial issue has been on the use of it. On one hand, the people against torture argue that it is cruel and unusual punishment. On the other hand, those for torture argue that it should be used for the greater good. Others even maintain that under extreme circumstances, it may be admissible if it can save American lives. My own view is that no one should be subjected to cruel punishment because it is not only illegal, unreliable, ineffective, time consuming, it also has too many flaws that could potentially ruin innocent lives. The definition of torture is any act, whether physical or emotional, or maybe both, is intentionally subjected to a specific individual or a group for many reasons. Most of these reasons that torture is administered is for extracting information from an individual or just for punishing him/her for a crime that he/she has committed or is suspected of committing. The use of torture can be used to intimidate a person to give information that may be beneficial for a nation. The use of torture has been used for many centuries. The purposes of using torture have changed over the years as well as the methods in which a person is tortured. One crucial piece that has been established that separates us human beings from barbarians is the prohibition of using torture. There are many reasons why torture has been deemed a crime now in society. There are

Torture has been a sensitive subject in our government and among the people of the US. The article “Torture is Wrong-But it Might Work” Bloche about how even though torture is not moral to some, it can still provide effective results because of advanced techniques and psychological studies. He goes on to say that many believe it is effective but others will say it does not provide adequate results in interrogation efforts. Senators such as John McCain (R-Ariz.) believe it does not help at all; however, other government officials, such as former attorney general Michael Mukasey and former vice president Dick Cheney, believe it does (Bloche 115).

Every single person in America today grew up with the belief that torture is morally wrong. Popular culture, religious point of views, and every other form of culture for many decades has taught that it is a wrongdoing. But is torture really a wrong act to do? To examine the act of torture as either a means or an end we must inquire about whether torture is a means towards justice and therefore morally permissible to practice torture on certain occasions. “Three issues dominate the debates over the morality of torture: (1) Does torture work? (2) Is torture ever morally acceptable? And (3) What should be the state’s policy regarding the use of torture?” (Vaughn, 605). Torture “is the intentional inflicting of severe pain or suffering on people to punish or intimidate them or to extract information from them” (Vaughn, 604). The thought of torture can be a means of promoting justice by using both the Utilitarian view and the Aristotelian view. Using John Stuart Mills concept of utilitarianism, he focuses on the greatest happiness principle which helps us understand his perspective on torture and whether he believes it is acceptable to do so, and Aristotle uses the method of virtue of ethics to helps us better understand if he is for torture. The term torture shall be determined by exploring both philosophers’ definition of justice, what comprises a “just” act, what is considered “unjust”, and then determined if it would be accepted by, or condemned by either of these two

Interrogational torture is one of the many tough ethical questions that people debate about in the United States. Is it right or is it wrong? Many believe that the United States does not practice intense interrogational acts such as torture. Many people have fought to abolish any form of torture while many fight to keep some forms of it to help keep the peace. Whether you believe in it or not, torture is and will always be an ethical dilemma that comes up.

not acceptable and is regarded as an evil in this generation. However, in the next

The United States has been, and may again be, under terrorist threat and attacks or other similar incidents. Torture can be used to prevent these terrible incidents and save the lives of many people. Torture in the United States has been a debatable subject for many years now but after resent tragedies, the idea of torture of many American citizens has changed. It has also been debated over more after the attacks on September 9, 2001 than any other time in American history. Many fight the legalization of torture for moral and civil reasons but the truth is that torture is a lesser evil that can be used for a greater good.

The definition of torture is perceived differently to every person. In this dispute, the two opposing sides are generally immovable. Many claim that it is not an effective tool, it is downright wrong, and it just does not work, while the other side claims the opposite. The argument “The Gray Zone: Defining Torture” by Barry Gewen examines the controversial issues that erupt from the touchy topic of torture. Gewen writes a successful and persuasive argument for his favorable position towards torture as an effective mean for gathering information and halting life-threatening situations which he does through his use of strong premises, logos, and ethos, building him a credible and structurally sound argument.

As previously mentioned, torture has traditionally been cited as a way to successfully extract information and strategic intelligence and this definition has constantly been used by governments to justify its use. However as outlined by Heather Whipps, “from the dingy dungeons of the Dark Ages to todays use torture used against terrorists, the use of torture as an interrogation tactic has evolved little and possibly yielded even less, in terms of intelligence.” (Whipps, 2007) During the Medieval period of history, torture was a cornerstone of the judicial process for two main reasons; to punish and to acquire information. However even as far back as the 15th Century, scholars were questioning the use of torture as an effective way to acquire true information. In the Malleus Maleficarum, a treatise written regarding the prosecution of witchcraft, the author Heinrich Kramer, outlined that “torture is often fallacious and ineffective. For some are so feeble-minded and soft-hearted that at the least torture they will confess anything, whether it be true or not.” (Kramer, 1494) This argument is echoed throughout history by countless scholars and heads of state, as previously shown. Torture is ineffective because people will say whatever they can and as quickly as they can to make the pain and torture stop. Therefore, going off the previous definition of ‘justified,’ torture is unjustified because it does not work and therefore lacks all characteristics of legitimacy.

When one thinks of torture they are not thinking about bunnies, rainbows, and lollipops. Instead, one will illustrate the idea of dungeons, the Middle Ages, and people being punished in horrendous ways. Torture is not something like candy in which one may say it is delicious, while another believes it is disgusting. Torture is viewed in society in one way only, and it happens to be in a negative manner. When defining torture, the most common widely used definitions are: the infliction of intense pain to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure, something that causes agony or pain, and the anguish of body and mind. All of these definitions are in accordance to the same word: pain. The word pain itself generally has a negative connotation; by any sense it is unpleasant. A great amount of individuals believe that torture is justifiable when being used for the greater good, however, even if torture is being utilized for the greater good, it is still going to be an immoral act.

The history of torture in Europe may seem at first to be a steady progression of barbarous tactics, leading from one social purge to the next, but this is not completely the case. Torture has been used in a progression from primitive methods to the present more modern styles. It has also developed extensively, both in severity and variety of methods used. But in the end, torture has gone full circle; modern forms of torture are more like those methods used by savages than anything in between. Overall, the severity of torture has fluctuated, growing and receding with the passing of each new time period, but eventually reverting to its original state.

Torture in the interrogation process has been a readily available tool for interrogators for centuries, there have been many published definitions of the exact meaning of “torture”, and entities will shape and curtail the definition as to suit their individual needs. One such definition, as per the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, which states, “Torture is; (a) the intentional infliction of extreme physical suffering on some non-consenting, defenseless person; (b)

Torture has a profound psychological impact on the victim, as well as the abuser. For thousands of years, torture has been used to punish, degrade, to intimidate and inflict fear. The word “torture” brings to minds scenarios of someone inflicting intense physical pain on