Torture Allowed in the United States

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

What constitutes torture? The definition of torture is used in many different contexts, so, there are many different meanings of torture. The definition of torture featured in international law is, “any act of which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession” (Sontag 2). There are many torture methods that have been used throughout history. One form of torture that was commonly used in the past is white torture. White torture is one of the most sadistic forms of torture. It is a form of emotional and psychological torture. Instead of inflicting physical pain onto the individual, they are tormented with sensory deprivation and total isolation. The individual is locked up in a room that is completely white. There are no windows and even the meals that are given are completely white. This torture tactic is frequently used by the Iranian government and the psychological effects of this torture are lifelong.

Torture is known as the intentional infliction of either physical or psychological harm for the purpose of gaining something – typically information – from the subject for the benefit of the inflictor. Normal human morality would typically argue that this is a wrongful and horrendous act. On the contrary, to deal with the “war on terrorism” torture has begun to work its way towards being an accepted plan of action against terrorism targeting the United States. Terroristic acts perpetrate anger in individuals throughout the United States, so torture has migrated to being considered as a viable form of action through a blind eye. Suspect terrorists arguably have basic human rights and should not be put through such psychologically and physically damaging circumstances.

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).

Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. (85)

Torture is not a new ethical dilemma, because torture has been practiced throughout human history and in different cultures. Now, however, the Geneva Convention and other modern norms suggest that human beings should not resort to using torture. Torture is becoming taboo as a method of intelligence gathering, which is why the methods used during the Iraq war were decried. However, the ethical case can be made for torture. If torturing one human being leads to information that could save the lives of a thousand, torture suddenly seems like a sensible method. This is a utilitarian perspective on torture, which many people find palatable. However, there are problems with this method of thinking about torture. The state-sanctioned use of torture creates a normative framework in which torture becomes acceptable. Torture sends the wrong message about what a free, open, and enlightened society should be. Even if torture is only acceptable in extreme circumstances, as with a suspect who might know something about an impending terrorist attack, who decides when and what type of torture should be used? There is too much potential for abuse of the moral loophole with regards to torture. If the United States hopes to be a role model, then torture cannot fit into its intelligence methods.

Many would believe that torture is considered an act that would only cause physical pain. However, physical punishment alone does not

If pain is meant to break the will of the person, one must ask when we might have an interest in doing so. Certainly violating the freedom through violence is not acceptable for citizens; I may not justifiably torture you to obtain what I want from you, be it your property, your behavior, or your ideological consent (Lendman, 2008). Also, the police may not torture to obtain information, as

In the United States legal system, torture is currently defined as “an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control.” as defined by Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives (US Code, 1) Though this is a seemingly black and white definition, the conditional “…other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions…” have led many to question what precisely this entails. In other words, what are the lawful sanctions that permit such acts? Are they ethically right? Where is the line drawn as torture

People’s imaginations start to go wild when they hear the word torture. However, there are enhanced interrogation techniques that are more humane than others. Waterboarding, for example, simulates the effect of drowning and is highly recommended by people such as former Vice President Dick Cheney (Defrank). It is highly unpleasant, but breaks no bones and leaves no bruises. It also exposes those performing the interrogation to lesser psychological strain than other methods that could be used would. Torture is accused of being a cancer in society, but if regulated and reserved for the “especially” bad guys, societal homeostasis would be maintained.

The parts in well known movies where the victim is tied to a wall and another causes unnecessary harm to him is classified as torture. In the movie, Saw ll, Jigsaw places a group of people that he believes have done something wrong in a house. Their goal is to work together to escape with clues that Jigsaw gives them. Many torture devices are placed around the house such as a pool of used needles and a furnace. The way to survive the house is to go through torture to get injections needed to stay alive. Torture is pain or physical harm inflicted onto a person by something or someone else. There are many forms of torture and these punishments are usually inflicted for a reason. Like any issue, there are many arguments against torture based on the opinion that it is inhumane. Additionally, laws have been placed into effect to prevent future torture from occurring.

Torture: the action of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something, or for the pleasure of the person inflicting the pain (Dictionary.com). In recent years, the debate about torture has increased as new findings emerge as the CIA’s detainee reports show that torture didn’t give them the answers (Apuzzo). Under the U.N article number five, it states that no one should be subjected to torture or violence no matter what the circumstances are (Wood). However, President Donald Trump is a strong believer in torture techniques such as waterboarding tactics, stating, “I don’t think it’s tough enough,” and with a new Republican Senate, torture could become prominent as a way to get information (Torture and

The definition of torture is the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something, or for the pleasure of the person inflicting the pain. The question on our minds is whether or not torture should be allowed. After doing research I believe that torture should not be allowed. We have multiple laws that state that torture is illegal, torture is immoral, and there are cases and evidence that show that torture has led to false admissions.

The use of brute force and psychological manipulation to obtain information from detainees is known as torture. Considered to be one of the most common interrogation methods, this barbaric craft has been practiced in different cultures throughout history. Ranging from physical assault to white torture, torture takes many forms. Although widely practiced, this illegal, immoral, and ineffective method has no bearing in America.