Why Is Torture Wrong
Landon Powell
Prof. Terry Galbraith
ENG 102-201
Argument Essay
10 March 2016
The Fight on Terrorism Torture is the intentional inflicting of severe pain and suffering on people to punish or intimidate them so that they will extract information (Doing Ethics). Torture is morally wrong if it is unjustifiable or does not serve a purpose. On the other hand, to protect and secure our country from extremist and other terrorist, it can be morally justified. Keeping torture quiet with the public and out of world news is crucial. If it got out that the Americans were torturing assumed terrorists or enemies of the state for answers, it could cause great controversy. Although torture can be seen as unethical and unjustifiable, it is needed to protect …show more content…
In a utilitarian’s eyes if the good outweighs the bad in torturing a convicted terrorist than he/she would agree to it or vice versa. When it comes to war, countries have to have an ethnic guideline to follow. In most situations, America has followed the rules of utilitarianism. As a leader or influential figure, one has to look at what is good for the whole nation and not just themselves or groups of people. Therefore, if torture was ever legalized, it would put our own soldiers or citizens at risk if the enemy ever captured one. Although our enemy may use torture regardless, if we publicly look down upon torture then our enemies may be less likely to use it. Torture still should be secretly used when necessary. For example, if our country is going to be bombed and millions of lives are at stake, torture would be permissible in order to try to save those lives. Also, keeping it from the public would create more good then it would bad; therefore, under the utilitarian views, it would be morally permissible to not tell public about it (Doing Ethics). A utilitarian would agree with my views on torture because although torture is bad and not necessarily good, in some situations, it can protect many lives and even our nation. Therefore, the good would outweigh the bad. Also, on the other hand, a utilitarian can disagree with torture in some cases. For example, if the government ever tortured someone out of spite and not for a legitimate reason or cause, then a utilitarian would disapprove. A utilitarian has to always weigh the good and bad in a situation. (Doing Ethics). As long as torture is used to combat evil in our world and keeps the lives of our soldiers and citizens safe, it is morally
Prof. Terry Galbraith
ENG 102-201
Argument Essay
10 March 2016
The Fight on Terrorism Torture is the intentional inflicting of severe pain and suffering on people to punish or intimidate them so that they will extract information (Doing Ethics). Torture is morally wrong if it is unjustifiable or does not serve a purpose. On the other hand, to protect and secure our country from extremist and other terrorist, it can be morally justified. Keeping torture quiet with the public and out of world news is crucial. If it got out that the Americans were torturing assumed terrorists or enemies of the state for answers, it could cause great controversy. Although torture can be seen as unethical and unjustifiable, it is needed to protect …show more content…
In a utilitarian’s eyes if the good outweighs the bad in torturing a convicted terrorist than he/she would agree to it or vice versa. When it comes to war, countries have to have an ethnic guideline to follow. In most situations, America has followed the rules of utilitarianism. As a leader or influential figure, one has to look at what is good for the whole nation and not just themselves or groups of people. Therefore, if torture was ever legalized, it would put our own soldiers or citizens at risk if the enemy ever captured one. Although our enemy may use torture regardless, if we publicly look down upon torture then our enemies may be less likely to use it. Torture still should be secretly used when necessary. For example, if our country is going to be bombed and millions of lives are at stake, torture would be permissible in order to try to save those lives. Also, keeping it from the public would create more good then it would bad; therefore, under the utilitarian views, it would be morally permissible to not tell public about it (Doing Ethics). A utilitarian would agree with my views on torture because although torture is bad and not necessarily good, in some situations, it can protect many lives and even our nation. Therefore, the good would outweigh the bad. Also, on the other hand, a utilitarian can disagree with torture in some cases. For example, if the government ever tortured someone out of spite and not for a legitimate reason or cause, then a utilitarian would disapprove. A utilitarian has to always weigh the good and bad in a situation. (Doing Ethics). As long as torture is used to combat evil in our world and keeps the lives of our soldiers and citizens safe, it is morally