Ethical Perspective of Torture

Ethical Perspective of Torture

Introduction

As the primary definition explains, torture is the international infliction of horrible and extreme physical suffering on a non-consenting, helpless, person for breaking their will and faith in some cases. Torture includes practices like searing with hot iron, electric shock treatment to the genitals, burning at the stake and severe beating. All of these practices inflict sever pain in human body. In the whole world, torture is seen as an inhumane act and the purpose of this act goes completely against with how we live in this world. Torture and the people who are involved in this process are entirely different, they view the world from logic, and result oriented perspective. All the human right activist agencies in the world is against this process and the international law dictates punishment for people who perform these activities but still every country in the world is involved in this act of torturing enemy combatant in the name of national security and for the greater good purpose.

Dilemma of Torture

Let us examine the dilemma of torture and its roots connected to philosophy of human rights and the need for this act, the impact of the situation of this act on the moral values of humanity. For the sake of proving, a point let us assume those terrorists that try to invade US are caught; torture is allowed for the act of greater good. They have valuable information can be save lives of, many US citizens and probably give the government the next date or period for another terrorist act. To analyze this we will answer the following questions.

Is it morally acceptable to torture a suspected terrorist who is a not a man but a child to gain information that may save many American lives?

Is it acceptable to torture a suspected terrorist who is a female to gain information in order to save American lives?

Is it morally acceptable to save American lives by using any means of torture that exist in this world?

Is it morally acceptable to use nay means of torture, which will lead to permanent disability in the victim's mind and body to save American lives?

Is it morally acceptable to torture a person, which will lead to his death and may or may not save American lives?

If the ultimate factor is to save American lives, than what about torturing an American citizen to save American lives? Let's not talk about the international law or citizen of any other country but if we focus on American citizens what answer do we have (Wisnewki & Emerick, 2009). The concept of this discussion leads to a question that has affected generations and kingdoms all throughout the history and that ultimate question is to what extent we can go to save the lives of our people. Where do we draw the line?

The Moral Justification for Institutionalized Torture

Many theorists of late nineteenth century have discussed this concept of morality in a democratic state. Attention has been drawn to this subject based on ...