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Is It Ethical To Torture Research Paper

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Is it ever "Okay" to Resort to Torture?
I. The Necessary Evil of Torture
Torture is only morally justified under two circumstances: when it is the last resort, and when the torture is isolated. The use of torture is only morally just when isolated to a specific individual. Torturing a group of individuals when the torturer is not sure which individual has the information is not acceptable. Also, the use of the victim's family if they are not a suspect, nor have information, is not morally justified to involved them in torture. Lastly, torture is justified when used as a last resort, and to save lives. "Torture involves degrees of pain and fear that are often said to be utterly indescribable…these experiences are sometimes said to destroy …show more content…
Acceptable types of torture can range from water torture, beatings, exploiting phobias, music torture, sleep deprivation, and terrorist's methods. However, sexual abuse is not an acceptable method of torture, nor is it morally just. Torture is distinctive from other wartimes activities because it is "the intentional infliction of extreme physical pain or psychological distress on a person." Due to the psychological and physical pain of torture, it is only morally justifiable with specific motives. Torture should be used in instances when it is the last resort and is regulated; ideally when regulated officials are held accountable for their actions. When institutionalized, the ethical theory of act utilitarianism can justify the use of torture. Act utilitarianism supports the torture of an innocent person (presumably guilty) would be justified to prevent the pain or death of innocent people. The boundary of this method of warfare, torture, should be used limited; which makes the use of torture justifiable. Lastly, if used rarely, then there is less worry about the abuse of power when resorting to …show more content…
Nevertheless, torture has long-lasting psychological effects: "the agony of torture typically continues to reproduce itself in the lives of victims and those close to them long after the physical torments stop." Therefore, this method of warfare has the potential of causing victims not to have the ability to function in the society as 'having a life." Terrorists are "bad" individuals; however, they are still humans, and "if one person's life is destroyed, this cannot be compensated for, just because the values promoted for others will not compensate the person who has been killed." The use of physical methods of torture has the potential of death due to stress on the body and if not death, then it affects the victim's ability to 'have a life' after the ordeal. The methods of mental and physical torture have a tremendous effect on victims and over time can cause insanity. Insanity is the "mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality." Due to the general and repetitive nature of torture, there is always the risk factor of victims developing a type of mental disorder. The purpose of torture is to break the victim so they will give their torturer valuable information. Hence, after a victim is tortured, it is difficult for them to "have a life" as Norman would say due to the

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