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?

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

WHAT? Where are we here?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

I don't believe in torture under any circumstances

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.

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.

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.

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 ______.

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.