Torture and Ethics
Torture and Ethics Paper
Alfreepha Williams
AJS/532
July 21, 2013
Patricia DeAngelis
Torture and Ethics There are many views or definition of the word “torture”, which is often debated by many individuals. According to “International Rehabilitation Council For Torture Victims” (2005-2012), “torture is an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining information or a confession, punishing him for an act committed” (para. 2). “Torture is anguish of body or mind; something that causes agony or pain; the infliction of intense pain (from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure; or distortion or over refinement of a meaning or an argument” (“Torture,” 2013). There are debates about torture and whether or not is unethical or a cruel and unusual punishment. People have been taught to believe that torturing a person is unacceptable and inhumane. However, the torturing of an enemy to get answers is not considered cruel and inhumane especially, when it involves saving the lives of many. This paper will analyze whether torturing enemy combatants or high-value targets violates standards of morality in an American free society. It will also examine whether the act of torture violates basic human rights and if it could have global implications, and last determine if torture may be justified under ontological, deontological, utilitarianism, or the natural law theory.
Torture and the Enemy
Is the torturing an enemy combatant or high value target violates the standards of morality in an American free society? To understand this question better, "morality are codes of conduct put forward by a society, religious group, or individual for his or her own behavior, or it is a code of conduct given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons” (“Morality,” 2011). Studies show that the Unites States have violated both domestic
Alfreepha Williams
AJS/532
July 21, 2013
Patricia DeAngelis
Torture and Ethics There are many views or definition of the word “torture”, which is often debated by many individuals. According to “International Rehabilitation Council For Torture Victims” (2005-2012), “torture is an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining information or a confession, punishing him for an act committed” (para. 2). “Torture is anguish of body or mind; something that causes agony or pain; the infliction of intense pain (from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure; or distortion or over refinement of a meaning or an argument” (“Torture,” 2013). There are debates about torture and whether or not is unethical or a cruel and unusual punishment. People have been taught to believe that torturing a person is unacceptable and inhumane. However, the torturing of an enemy to get answers is not considered cruel and inhumane especially, when it involves saving the lives of many. This paper will analyze whether torturing enemy combatants or high-value targets violates standards of morality in an American free society. It will also examine whether the act of torture violates basic human rights and if it could have global implications, and last determine if torture may be justified under ontological, deontological, utilitarianism, or the natural law theory.
Torture and the Enemy
Is the torturing an enemy combatant or high value target violates the standards of morality in an American free society? To understand this question better, "morality are codes of conduct put forward by a society, religious group, or individual for his or her own behavior, or it is a code of conduct given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons” (“Morality,” 2011). Studies show that the Unites States have violated both domestic