This essay deals with torture and investigates and challenges arguments trying to justify torture.
The line of justification of those supporting torture most commonly focuses on so called “ticking time bomb” scenarios. These are hypothetical situations in which a captive knows where a time bomb is hidden but refuses to divulge that information.
In such situations, it is contended, torture is morally permissible and justifiable as it is the only means to save innocent lives. In these circumstances, it is less bad to inflict physical harm on a guilty person than to allow large numbers to die. According to Bagaric and Clarke, torture should be used when “the threat is imminent, there are no other means of alleviating the threat, and the suspect is known to have the relevant information”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Ticking Time Bomb Scenario
- Arguments Against the Justification of Torture
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the argument for the justification of torture, primarily focusing on the "ticking time bomb" scenario. It examines the ethical and legal implications of using torture as a means to obtain information, questioning its efficacy and potential consequences.
- The ethical permissibility of torture
- The "ticking time bomb" scenario as a justification for torture
- The practical limitations and flaws of the ticking time bomb argument
- The psychological effects of torture and the unreliability of information obtained through it
- The slippery slope argument against the legalization of torture
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the essay by briefly discussing the historical context of the debate surrounding torture. It defines torture according to the UN definition and introduces the central question: Is torture ever justifiable? The introduction highlights the shift in global perspectives on torture following the September 11th attacks, setting the stage for a thorough analysis of the arguments for and against its justification.
The Ticking Time Bomb Scenario: This chapter delves into the most common argument used to justify torture – the hypothetical "ticking time bomb" scenario. The essay explores the proponents' claims that in such extreme circumstances, inflicting pain on a guilty individual to save many innocent lives is morally permissible. The chapter presents the proponents' conditions for such a scenario to be genuine, highlighting the argument that the lesser of two evils must be chosen. It introduces the idea that the potential benefits of obtaining information through torture must outweigh the inherent ethical costs.
Arguments Against the Justification of Torture: This section refutes the justifications presented for torture. It systematically dismantles the ticking time bomb argument by highlighting the practical and theoretical impossibilities of ensuring the scenario's prerequisites are met. The essay emphasizes the unreliable nature of information obtained through torture, citing the psychological impacts and the likelihood of false confessions. It further presents the "slippery slope" argument, suggesting that allowing torture in extreme circumstances opens the door to its broader and abusive application. Crucially, it argues that even if there were isolated instances where torture might seem comprehensible, the likelihood of those instances occurring is so low and the potential for abuse so high that any legal or ethical framework attempting to permit torture is doomed to failure.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Torture, ticking time bomb, justification, ethics, morality, human rights, national security, interrogation, unreliable information, slippery slope, psychological effects, legal framework, human dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Justification of Torture
What is the main topic of this essay?
The essay comprehensively analyzes the arguments for and against the justification of torture, primarily focusing on the controversial "ticking time bomb" scenario. It explores the ethical, legal, and practical implications of using torture as an interrogation method.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the ethical permissibility of torture, the validity of the "ticking time bomb" scenario as a justification, the practical limitations and flaws of this argument, the psychological effects of torture and the unreliability of information obtained through it, and the "slippery slope" argument against legalizing torture.
What is the "ticking time bomb" scenario?
The "ticking time bomb" scenario is a hypothetical situation used to argue for the justification of torture. It posits that if a terrorist has information about an imminent attack that could cause significant loss of life, torture might be permissible to extract that information and prevent the catastrophe. The essay critically examines the conditions under which such a scenario could be considered genuine.
What are the arguments against the justification of torture presented in the essay?
The essay presents several arguments against the justification of torture. These include the practical impossibilities of ensuring the prerequisites of the ticking time bomb scenario are met, the unreliability of information obtained under duress, the psychological impact of torture on both victim and perpetrator, and the "slippery slope" argument, which suggests that allowing torture in extreme cases could lead to its widespread and abusive application.
What is the "slippery slope" argument?
The "slippery slope" argument contends that permitting torture even in seemingly justified extreme cases (like the ticking time bomb scenario) creates a dangerous precedent. It argues that such a precedent would inevitably lead to the expansion and abuse of torture, undermining fundamental human rights and ethical principles.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The essay provides summaries for an introduction, a chapter on the ticking time bomb scenario, and a chapter presenting arguments against the justification of torture. The introduction sets the context and defines torture. The ticking time bomb chapter explores the proponents' arguments, while the final chapter dismantles these justifications and highlights the practical and ethical problems associated with torture.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include: Torture, ticking time bomb, justification, ethics, morality, human rights, national security, interrogation, unreliable information, slippery slope, psychological effects, legal framework, human dignity.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay?
While the essay thoroughly examines the arguments for the justification of torture, particularly the "ticking time bomb" scenario, its overall conclusion strongly argues against the ethical and practical permissibility of torture. It emphasizes the inherent dangers and unreliability associated with it, advocating for the upholding of human rights and the rejection of torture under all circumstances.
- Quote paper
- Helen Schropp (Author), 2012, Torture. Is it ever justifiable?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337941
