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Is the use of torture ever justified?

Created: 02/27/14

Replies: 13

Posted Feb. 27, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

Is the use of torture ever justified?

Chechen rebels are known as terrorists and to have used terrorist techniques. Were you surprised that the Russian Army was equally guilty of using torture and other brutal tactics? Is the use of torture ever justified?


Posted Feb. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sandral

Join Date: 04/09/11

Posts: 13

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

I am not surprised by anything one human could do to another. I wish this was a different world.


Posted Feb. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Suzanne

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 281

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

WHAT? Where are we here?


Posted Feb. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

In my mind no. I feel sad that we live in a world where torture, brutality and killing still take place in parts of the world on a daily basis.


Posted Feb. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

While I agree that in a civilized world there's no room for torture, just to play devil's advocate -

Imagine the following scenario: You know - KNOW - that a man has hidden a bomb in a building that will kill or injure hundreds of people if you don't find it in the next hour. In a situation like that, is it justified to use whatever means to get the information out of him? What if the building includes your spouse or child? Does that change how you feel about your response?


Posted Mar. 01, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

Quite simply no. Even kimk's example, as horrifying at it is, I feel does not give one the right to torture. Of course if I was in the situation I might think differently but I can hope it never happens to me or anyone else.


Posted Mar. 03, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Denise B-K

Join Date: 01/19/12

Posts: 26

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

Really appreciate kimk’s devil’s advocate scenario.

To “Is the use of torture ever justified?” I add the question, “What defines torture?” Believe it depends upon the person and the circumstances. Is it torture to feed someone pork? What if he is Muslim? Is it torture to cut off someone’s beard? What if he is a Hasidic Jew?


Posted Mar. 03, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sandra54

Join Date: 05/01/13

Posts: 62

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

Philosophically I do not believe in torture. The end does not always justify the means. However I would not judge someone else when I really do not have any similar experiences.


Posted Mar. 04, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mal

Join Date: 09/09/13

Posts: 164

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

I don't believe in torture under any circumstances


Posted Mar. 10, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joannev

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 68

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

I agree with sandra54 totally. I can't imagine what I would do in a situation like kimk describes either, and I hope I never do.


Posted Mar. 12, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
aleksandrae

Join Date: 02/25/14

Posts: 40

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

I thought about this question for several days. I came up with similar thoughts as Denise B-K. Sleep deprivation, playing Celine Dion music on a 24 hour loop, and mind manipulation are different forms of torture. I have never been in combat. I have never had a family member's life hang in the balance of someone else's hand. It is very difficult to say "No. It is wrong." unless you know exactly the circumstances being presented. And it is all well and good to say you don't believe in it, unless the information brought forth from the "torture" could save the life of your child, spouse or parent.


Posted Mar. 19, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cb

Join Date: 03/19/14

Posts: 26

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

I would hope I were honorable enough to never rationalize/justify the use of torture. But considering what humans have done to humans, I am not sure that I would abstain from ANY thing if those I love were brutalized.


Posted Mar. 30, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
elizabethg

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 9

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

Yes, you would have to define "torture" and you would have to define "justify." But no, violence or deprivation against humans is something I would hope we would have evolved past by now. And as we have seen, it doesn't seem to work so well. Just destroys everything eventually. If Akhmed's village becomes deserted, what is the point? All have fled or are dead. And the killing goes on, like a machine. Accomplishing ______.


Posted Apr. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maryj

Join Date: 03/06/12

Posts: 12

RE: Is the use of torture ever justified?

The moral answer is no. However if one is harming many others then some torture should be used if it can save others. This is a reality of the world we live in today. So sad but so true.


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