Is torture ever morally justifiable?

[bkadoctaj]

Here are some points to consider:

• If torture is justifiable and you come from a liberal (in the political science sense) society, what does it say about liberal democracy when such practices are condoned?
• Are rights (to freedom from torture, which liberal societies tout) meaningful if they are consistently violated?
• If you knew you could get information to prevent terrorism, would this justify torture?
• If torture could happen to anyone, even you, would you support it?
• If you knew the people who were being hurt, would you support torture?
• What if you had to hit the switch, swing the baton, or dunk the prisoner in water?

[flyhalf87]

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

Here are some points to consider:

• If torture is justifiable and you come from a liberal (in the political science sense) society, what does it say about liberal democracy when such practices are condoned?
• Are rights (to freedom from torture, which liberal societies tout) meaningful if they are consistently violated?
• If you knew you could get information to prevent terrorism, would this justify torture?
• If torture could happen to anyone, even you, would you support it?
• If you knew the people who were being hurt, would you support torture?
• What if you had to hit the switch, swing the baton, or dunk the prisoner in water?

torture leads to unreliable information, so its a waste of time. its inhuman. it does nothing good. anyone who is involved in the torture of any kind of life is a sadist.

the only good (not really) reason to have torture is as a deterrent. meaning if you get caught doing something this bad, something this bad will happen to you so youre less likely to do it.
i still dont think its justified

[pavlakos]

the suffering of another consious organism, let alone a fellow human being, can never be justified. on the other hand if i thought for instance i could get informaton via torture from someone about...lets say the murder of a good friend, would i do it? i think so. its still not justified.

[CosmicSerpent]

No, not justifiable... ever. Valuable information can be gotten more accurately using psychological interrogation techniques, not "enhanced interrogation" which has become a euphemism for torture.

[bkadoctaj]

Originally Posted by CosmicSerpent

No, not justifiable... ever. Valuable information can be gotten more accurately using psychological interrogation techniques, not "enhanced interrogation" which has become a euphemism for torture.

Damn, are you in my human rights class by any chance?

[Key2gb]

never

[blueend]

Originally Posted by CosmicSerpent

No, not justifiable... ever. Valuable information can be gotten more accurately using psychological interrogation techniques, not "enhanced interrogation" which has become a euphemism for torture.

^
totally agree.

torture is a crime against human rights,and is absolutely unacceptable by anyone for any reason,under any circumstancies.(period).

[ManU10]

No, I don't believe it is ever justified. But if someone were to harm one of my friends or parents, I can honestly say I would do everything in my power to brutally torture and kill them.

But that's just me.

[bkadoctaj]

Hmm... these answers are making me wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that we all smoke that we all feel that it is not ever morally justified... interesting. Or perhaps do you think the great majority of people feel this way?

[Zylark]

As have been mentioned torture is not a reliable means of getting information. I think you will find the practice more for purposes of revenge, oppression or both. The very threat of torture instills fear in a population, as such it is a tool for the powers that be to remain in power. To let the populace one try to control know that any opposition will not be dealt with kindly.

It is basically criminal mafia methods. And for the same purpose, the few getting rich by the suffering of the many. and the tools are the same. Violence and fear.

So I'd think most people would think torture is an abhorrent idea. Except two disparate groups: those that profit from it and those that is so into in-group / out-group mentality that the out-group is to them nothing but vermin.

[bkadoctaj]

Originally Posted by Zylark

As have been mentioned torture is not a reliable means of getting information. I think you will find the practice more for purposes of revenge, oppression or both. The very threat of torture instills fear in a population, as such it is a tool for the powers that be to remain in power. To let the populace one try to control know that any opposition will not be dealt with kindly.

It is basically criminal mafia methods. And for the same purpose, the few getting rich by the suffering of the many. and the tools are the same. Violence and fear.

So I'd think most people would think torture is an abhorrent idea. Except two disparate groups: those that profit from it and those that is so into in-group / out-group mentality that the out-group is to them nothing but vermin.

I guess that's what I was getting to. Just to stress, torture is, according to international law and convention employed by STATES. Who's more loyal to the state than to humanity (which created and tolerates the state)?

EDIT: I just wanted to stress my official position on the U.S.'s use of torture: if it discontinues all torture, all of the other nations will fall in line. I really believe that, yes. Moral high ground argument, perhaps, but I believe it. Humans know it's wrong, and that's why nations know it scares people (plus, you don't have to feel quite as responsible if you're a leader doing "what's right for my country").

[mrblonde77]

Yeah, but only if the person is muslim and looks like they may have at least a tenth degree connection to a terrorist.

[pavlakos]

Originally Posted by mrblonde77

Yeah, but only if the person is muslim and looks like they may have at least a tenth degree connection to a terrorist.

whatre you george bush?

[Zylark]

I think the odd "SARCASM!" sign needs some application.

That is, unless I missed the "IRONY!" sign.

They are hard to spot. Both. Either.

But I do know that Mustard said Catch-up to his tomato friend crossing the road...

[L Rag]

People will torture people just because they are told.

They will even kill people just because they are told.

Don't believe me? Check out Stanley Milgram's Obedience experiments...