Why Is Torture Wrong

Landon Powell
Prof. Terry Galbraith
ENG 102-201
Argument Essay
10 March 2016
The Fight on Terrorism Torture is the intentional inflicting of severe pain and suffering on people to punish or intimidate them so that they will extract information (Doing Ethics). Torture is morally wrong if it is unjustifiable or does not serve a purpose. On the other hand, to protect and secure our country from extremist and other terrorist, it can be morally justified. Keeping torture quiet with the public and out of world news is crucial. If it got out that the Americans were torturing assumed terrorists or enemies of the state for answers, it could cause great controversy. Although torture can be seen as unethical and unjustifiable, it is needed to protect
people’s lives from radical terrorist attacks. The United States has learned through history what the most humane way to coven with terrorists, and the American government has an effective and utilitarian way of dealing with terror threats.
Terrorism is an act of war to a country. With that said, war is morally permissible under stipulated conditions (Doing Ethics). This is called the Just War Theory. There are two questions you have to answer for the Just War Theory. How can war be justified? And if justified, how should war be performed? First of all, the cause for war must be just. In this case, that possible torture to terrorist for important information and/or to secure our nation is plausible enough. Torture is an area in which people and the government have to be very careful what they publicly tell others. Secondly, it must be sanctioned by proper authority (Doing Ethics). So, if our nation’s law enforcers and national defense were granted authority from the government giving them access to torture, if needed, that it would be morally permissible (Doing Ethics). Lastly, the war should not be motivated by blood thirst, ethnic hatred, or greed. Rather, combat should be driven to protect and defend the nation from threatening enemies of state. A utilitarian’s view is an action that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered (Doing Ethics).
In a utilitarian’s eyes if the good outweighs the bad in torturing a convicted terrorist than he/she would agree to it or vice versa. When it comes to war, countries have to have an ethnic guideline to follow. In most situations, America has followed the rules of utilitarianism. As a leader or influential figure, one has to look at what is good for the whole nation and not just themselves or groups of people. Therefore, if torture was ever legalized, it would put our own soldiers or citizens at risk if the enemy ever captured one. Although our enemy may use torture regardless, if we publicly look down upon torture then our enemies may be less likely to use it. Torture still should be secretly used when necessary. For example, if our country is going to be bombed and millions of lives are at stake, torture would be permissible in order to try to save those lives. Also, keeping it from the public would create more good then it would bad; therefore, under the utilitarian views, it would be morally permissible to not tell public about it (Doing Ethics). A utilitarian would agree with my views on torture because although torture is bad and not necessarily good, in some situations, it can protect many lives and even our nation. Therefore, the good would outweigh the bad. Also, on the other hand, a utilitarian can disagree with torture in some cases. For example, if the government ever tortured someone out of spite and not for a legitimate reason or cause, then a utilitarian would disapprove. A utilitarian has to always weigh the good and bad in a situation. (Doing Ethics). As long as torture is used to combat evil in our world and keeps the lives of our soldiers and citizens safe, it is morally
permissible.
Punishment and torture techniques can date back to the biblical times. The four original methods of punishment were stoning, burning, beheading, and strangulation (Human Rights). These techniques, over time, have evolved over generations. Torturing became prevalent during the 1500’s which was also referred to as the “Medieval Times” (Human Rights). Sadly, torture was used as entertainment and cautioned fellow townspeople. Technically, these were terror attacks on the people of that time period. Terrorism can be performed in several different ways (History of Torturing). There are attacks on enemies of state, attacks on foreign nations, and cyber-attacks (History of Torturing). In the past, terrorist attacks were not frequent. Only in the last century, did people begin using terrorism as an act of fear to other countries. In present-day, if someone is a confirmed terrorist, with intentions to do harm to American citizens, then it is our duty as fellow Americans to extract that information from them (Doing Ethics). Furthermore, terrorists are murderers, which have lost any and all rights when committing their crimes (Doing Ethics). In Pamela Crossland’s review of the “The History of Torturing” she states:
In 1948, the United States signed the four Geneva Conventions that forbid torturing prisoners of war and civilians. Torture is against US military law and civil law; indeed, members of the military have been charged and found guilty of misconduct in matters of torture, as have FBI agents. President Bush pledged in 2002 that all prisoners would be treated humanely, but in the same year, Alberto Gonzales, now the attorney general, stated that CIA agents were not bound by that pledge. (History of Torture) The CIA can do whatever they want to extract any information and protect American lives from hostile terrorists. Torture can be used in any circumstance involving a known terrorist, whether he has carried out an attack, or if he is a member of a terror organization (Doing Ethics). No sympathy should be felt for any of these individuals that want to inflict fear into other people’s lives. An act-utilitarian would probably view this situation as promoting overall happiness considering (Doing Ethics). Torturing a murderer to save the lives of millions of people can definitely be justified by act-utilitarian beliefs. On the other hand, a rule-utilitarian might view this situation as unmoral, because torture violates Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.” (Human Rights) Therefore, torturing people, regardless of their actions, would be morally wrong because it breaks a rule, and according to rule-utilitarianism, rules should be followed consistently, regardless of the possible bad consequences (Doing Ethics).
Even though torture can be seen as immoral and unforgiveable, through American history, it has been a necessary tool to defend people’s lives from hostile terrorist attacks. Robert Wright the author of “Why We Fight” writes a compelling message which says:
Many Muslims believe that no one—Muslim or otherwise--should be allowed to produce visual images of the Prophet Muhammad. Some Jews believe that Jews are God's "chosen people" and that the Jews have a divine right to the land of Israel. Many American Christians believe that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public buildings and that all Americans should pledge allegiance to "one nation under God. (Why We Fight) People in this world are diverse, just like their beliefs and opinions. There are always going to be an audience that does not agree. If one genially cares and believes in something, then he or she needs to fully grasp the information. The American people understand their freedoms, and they take the proper precautions to defend it.

Works Cited
Douglas, Fletcher P. “Human Rights." World & I. Nov93, Vol. 8 Issue 11, P412.
16p. 5 Black and White Photographs, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
"The History of Torture That Inferno:." Wcwonline. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
Vaughn, Lewis. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues. Third Edition. New
York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-393-91928-8 (pbk.)
Wright, Robert. "Why We Fight--and Can We Stop?" N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.