Torture...justified or ill advised?

11/26/2018

Torture-- is it justified in certain situations, such as matters of national security, or is the act too cruel to justify the means? This intense method of extracting information has been around since the dark ages, and continues to influence society today. Though multiple countries (194, to be exact) have 'banned' torture of any kind, it still takes place behind closed doors. An age long debate continues-- are there circumstances in which torture is justified, or is it always unethical?

Here is one side of the story: torture is pointless and will ultimately get us nowhere. Of course, the various brutal methods do get people to talk, but are the spewed confessions accurate? Not usually. In fact, "After more than five years analyzing 6.3 million pages of documents, they found that the CIA’s enhanced use of interrogation techniques were ineffective in obtaining accurate information or gaining detainee cooperation." Much of the gained information resulting from long standing torture methods are inaccurate and result in more hassle than help. Next begs the question of how much torture is moral, if it ever is. A slippery slope to go down. How should one determine when to stop? When the captive is dead, or are there boundaries--who gets to decide when enough is enough? Also, who could live with the repercussions brought upon the interrogator, lawfully or mentally? Finally, the use of torture actually tarnishes the government's reputation. Forcefully interrogating any person violates their right to remain silent, which every citizen has, and ultimately demotes the 'good guys' down to the social standings of the very criminals they are holding.

The other side: torture is necessary to gain crucial information, and should be allowed to practice. There are certain circumstances in which torture is the only available methods to extract time-sensitive information. These scenarios are called "ticking bombs," in which crucial feedback is needed in a specific-- usually very short-- time period. How else to gain this information? Torture may be old-fashioned, but it is still quite effective. We all know the phrase 'all is fair in love and war,' which happens to be true for this topic. Countless prisoners of war are tortured in the hands of our enemies, and there are training sessions in our own military to help prepare soldiers for that very situation. Our own prisoners of war have been tortured here in the U.S., so we are not exempt. Then, there is the case of torture simply being in the culture. Countries such as Al Qaeda and Vietnam are known for their use of torture as a commonplace method. Can we blame them for following their own government's rules?

What do you think? Is torture justified in any circumstances, or is it inexcusable?

https://www.theperspective.com/debates/living/can-use-torture-justified/

42 Comments

Rachel

12/1/2018 10:30:31 pm

Torture is completely inexcusable. I do not think that we have the right to decide the fate of another human being, no matter the circumstance. Also, as it was pointed out, torture often does not even extract viable information. If it is not actually helping, then it is only hurting, literally. There is no reason for torture to continue and I think that questioning brings about better results anyway. Even if someone seems unwilling to talk, I think that there is always a better way to get answers. People are generally motivated by power, money, and freedom, so using these as rewards could be beneficial as well.

Kelsey

12/2/2018 03:32:31 pm

I agree, it is severely unethical. There may be other ways to get answers, but I thought most people that have any information are trained to give no answers and are prepared to go through torture. Which is why a lot of the information the torturers get is false, or they simply do not get it.

Rachel

12/2/2018 05:47:30 pm

What do you think would be the way to get truthful answers out of people ethically? Since torture has been around for so long, do you think that it is even possible?

Katarina

12/2/2018 07:17:49 pm

Torture doesn’t always get viable information but sometimes it does. These people have a dedication to their country and bribing them won’t change anything.

Katherine

12/2/2018 07:18:32 pm

I agree that there are better answers to getting information than torturing. It also shows a weakness in our generation. It shows that people are greedy and would rather be bribed than hurt.

Challis

12/2/2018 07:29:00 pm

Agreed. Why continue it if there are not accurate results? I feel like rewards or deals could definetly help in some way.

Sariah

12/2/2018 11:22:11 pm

I do not think that giving someone power, money, and or freedom when they are a prisoner is beneficial. Honestly I think it is just as morally wrong in its own sense. I’m not saying torture is the answer but I definitely don’t think rewarding them for whatever the heck they are arrested for is either. Those aren’t just “get out of jail free cards”.

Kelsey

12/2/2018 01:11:28 pm

Torture is unjust, cruel, and it does not follow our country's guidelines. Americans are hypocrites if they think this act is excusable. But, what if our people are being tortured in foreign lands, then is torture here justifiable? Should war affairs be thought as separate from our government systems? In a perfect world, every country would be a democracy and cruel and unusual punishment would be not tolerated, but this is not a perfect world and other countries have different methods -- many unethical. I think we should try to set an example and have good ethics, but that still doesn't keep our people from getting tortured. I guess we have to be the "bigger" country and except the unfairness.

Brooke

12/2/2018 05:39:19 pm

Interesting view upon being the "bigger" country. With torture being ingrained in certain cultures, do you think that mindset makes a difference?

Rachel

12/2/2018 05:50:17 pm

I do think that war affairs should be somewhat kept separate from government. War and government do tend to go hand in hand, but I think that politics would be better off without the influence of war.

Katarina

12/2/2018 07:14:44 pm

I agree with us needing to be the “bigger” country but I don’t think that will happen because I believe we see it as they torture us so we torture them.

Challis

12/2/2018 07:32:10 pm

Just because other countries practice torture in war does not mean that we should. Why would we stoop as low as our enemies? We should be the "bigger" country, just like you said.

Sadie

12/2/2018 04:36:27 pm

I believe that maybe some torture was necessary up until about 80 years ago (end of World War II -- torture during The Red Scare was completely unethical). The entire world is growing into a new age where everyone is embracing human rights. Many of us have gotten used to these luxuries and we cannot comprehend torturous situations. It seems as though people are weaker than they used to be. This makes it a lot easier to interrogate and get information without physical, but verbal punishment. Information can also be gained by granting money or freedom to the subject, which is much less of a hassle. Torture just doesn't fit into today's society.

Brooke

12/2/2018 05:38:04 pm

Our society today has drastically changed, our views with it, you're right. Interesting to think about. Even so, how long do you believe torture will be used? Will it ever be eradicated?

Katherine

12/2/2018 07:15:51 pm

I agree that todays generation is definitely weaker than previous ones. You're right by saying that we are used to our luxuries, instead of torture, there is verbal abuse, and even bribing.

Saylor

12/2/2018 07:24:33 pm

These are some great points. I agree, it seems in todays world many people are weaker than they used to be. In todays world there are many easier ways to get information out of people. Why go through the nightmares of almost killing a person when you could just pay them for information?

Kenna

12/2/2018 07:28:25 pm

You're right society has changed. There are other ways to get information other than torture. Freedom and money are good options like you suggested.

Katherine

12/2/2018 07:11:52 pm

I think that torture is unnecessary to today's strategy of getting information. If it is giving out false information, then what is the end result? Like Rachel said, it really is just pain. Torture has nothing gained, and if the person is killed through it, then they still didn't get the information that they wanted. I do understand that sometimes there are time sensitive things that need to be figured out, but I still don't think that torture is the answer. With today's technology, there has to be other ways of extracting information. I don't think that torture is the answer

Conrad

12/2/2018 07:37:06 pm

I think that if there was information to be gained, and with high stakes, torture can be the only way to find this information. We would have never found Bin Laden without torture.

Katarina

12/2/2018 07:12:12 pm

I think in some circumstances torturing is sustainable but like you said where is the line drawn. I think this is a hard topic and there is really no right answer. Some circumstances where it involves terrorists may be okay but just to normal people it’s not right. Again this is a hard topic and there’s so many different situations that it’s hard to put a general opinion on this.

Mckinlee

12/2/2018 07:37:26 pm

What circumstances exactly would you find torture okay? And at what level do you suppose it would be cut off?

Jesse B.

12/2/2018 07:37:29 pm

I agree that torture is a difficult subject to talk about because of all of the variables and scenarios that could possibly happen and it can be an effective means of information extraction. Where would you draw the line if torturing a terrorist?

Jazz

12/2/2018 08:12:57 pm

This is a very hard topic. If lives can be saved than should torture be acceptable even if the information gained could be false? Since one situation is never the exact same as another then there can’t be a plain and simple how-to guide in when and when not to torture.

Saylor

12/2/2018 07:21:48 pm

Torture isn't something that should be happening today. Yes, it might have been necessary many years ago but it shouldn't be happening now. I do believe that in some situations it can be justified. There are times when terrorists attack our country and try to kill hundreds or even thousands of Americans. If this were to happen in other countries where we are attacking, there are times where torture is found. Our country obviously isn't just going to turn the other cheek and look away. It's most definitely unethical but is it fair? We don't live in a perfect world. There is always going to be something to upset someone, but if it is to save innocent lives, it can be justified. I don't believe that torture is excusable, but it is sometimes necessary in certain/specific situations.

Kenna

12/2/2018 07:22:57 pm

Torture is definitely unethical. People hurting other people to get information is wrong. However, some might argue that the end justify the means. If torture isn't even accurate why bother? There has to be other ways to get information other than torture.

Jazz

12/2/2018 08:09:56 pm

What do you think on the ticking bomb situations? Is it no use to try to gain information if it may not be viable?

Challis

12/2/2018 07:26:10 pm

Torture only causes hurt, emotionally and physically. Just like you said, we often do not gain accurate information from torture so once the pros and cons are weighed, it does not seem like a necessity to the U.S.A. If the U.S. if using torture as a means of getting information, it makes us no better than our enemies and if we do so we cannot get upset with other countries for doing it to us. In any circumstance, torture is a violation of our basic human rights and should not be accepted in our country.

Kenna

12/2/2018 07:31:21 pm

You're right, if we use torture we can't get mad others if they do. We would just be stooping to their level. This violation of our rights shouldn't be allowed.

Jesse B.

12/2/2018 07:28:09 pm

Imagine yourself in a situation where your loved ones are in immediate danger and you are the only one that can save them. There is one man that knows where they are, but he is not saying anything and time is running out. What can you do? You could take your chances on having your friends and family killed by finding them on your own or you could save them by getting that information out of that man. Personally, I would choose the later for the greater likelihood of success. Violence for the sake of violence is meaningless and wrong, but if that violence could mean saved lives then it has a meaningful purpose. Torture, like it or not, is a means of extracting information. I believe that it should only be used if there is no other option and there are lives at stake. It is easy to put acts of major conflict into black and white categories, but warfare is not like that, it is instead many different shades of grey and everyone has paint on their hands.

Conrad

12/2/2018 07:41:27 pm

I love the paint metaphor, it is totally true. Sometimes things must get done, despite the consequences. I think that protecting family and people is the only reason it should be used.

Kelsey

12/2/2018 07:48:15 pm

What if that guy who is being tortured has a family as well? What if he/she has children, a spouse, etc.? Would you still torture him/her for information? There really is no good option to this controversy, like you said - it isn't just black and white. I think the only way to handle it is to decide the best ethical option for each situation.

Sadie

12/2/2018 09:03:08 pm

It's interesting how the women in our class seemed to have leaned towards the "torture=unethical" view and the men nearly the opposite. Women, for some reason, feel the need to do the right thing (which isn't always bad). But, like you said, when all other options have failed, you must do the extreme.

Conrad

12/2/2018 07:35:15 pm

There will always be those who threaten the freedom and safety of American citizens. I do not believe that torture is morally right, but also think that torture can be necessary to find important information regarding national security. Imagine the effect that knowing of the 9/11 attack would have made. Would that be worth torturing people? I think that despite the ethics, it does need to happen to some extent. If my family or friends were under a threat, I think that in order to protect the whole, some sacrifices must be made.

Mckinlee

12/2/2018 07:38:48 pm

Do you suppose there should be a cut off on torture?

Jesse B.

12/2/2018 07:45:24 pm

9/11 was a terrible event and if we would have known about the plot sooner by means of torture then I believe it to be worth it. I agree that sacrifices must be made for the greater good of a nation and if that means torturing somebody then so be it. In light of that, would you give up your personal privacy for the country as a whole?

Sadie

12/2/2018 08:56:22 pm

Yes, perhaps, if you truly cannot bribe them with anything, then they are asking for it. The choice is theirs.

McKinlee

12/2/2018 07:42:19 pm

I believe torture to be completely unethical. After reading the views of others on this topic though, I see how it could allow for important information gathering. I do not believe it should be used but some uses of it in the past have been beneficial for the country.

Saylor

12/2/2018 08:56:40 pm

I can see how torture can be very wrong or maybe a small dose of right. The term "Fight fire with fire" comes to mind, but yes it is truly unethical. I agree that it can be beneficial in some circumstances.

Jazz

12/2/2018 08:08:33 pm

Torture is never ethical. Even in ticking bomb situations, the information may not even be accurate. If the knowledge gained is not usable, then why extract it through torture. Torturing prisoners of war is a violation of the Geneva Convention, and could ultimately lead to more war and hatred. The United States refusing to torture doesn’t mean that our own prisoners of war will be safe from torture, but keeping a goodand merciful reputation has to mean something.

Sariah

12/2/2018 11:29:18 pm

I like the way you went about explaining your opinion. I do think that this has been an issue ever since people, well have been people. There are humans , no matter where they live, on this Earth that participate in torture. It has been here for generations and generations. Obviously it is unjust but honestly I do not think it will ever go away. Because I believe it is a flaw everywhere that is so large it would take estinquishing the human populations to “fix it”.

Sariah

12/2/2018 11:30:12 pm

^^^^that’s suppose to be a comment on Jazzy’s

Sariah

12/2/2018 11:35:32 pm

As I mentioned in my comments obviously torture is inhumane but really we could never convince billions of people to agree with it and get rid of it. We could argue for years and years about wether it is useful or not and in the end we get no where. Even if it is illegal, we see, it doesn’t stop people. We can’t force people to quite what they are doing we can only punish. But even then. If they think it fine it will continue either way. It is just like any “unjust” action... is it right? Probably not. Will that stop people from doing it? Probably not.

Torture...justified or ill advised?

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