The Pros And Cons Of Ethical Torture

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There has been an ongoing debate regarding torture and ethical reasoning to determine when or if its ever ok. Modern scholars such as Alan Dershowitz, Sam Harris, and Charles & Gregory Fried, have expressed different ideas on ethical torture. Ideas of ethical reasoning were established by John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant. Even though they did not specifically use torture as an example of ethical reasoning for decision making their rational can still be applied to this topic.
Immanuel Kant believed our moral decisions are based on categorical imperative. Categorical meaning absolute, something is true all the time and imperative meaning something is very important or necessary. (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Kant believed consequences of an …show more content…

He remains objective to the concept of torture keeping his lawyer hat on. Dershowitz does this by looking at the concept of torture without bias. He understands the government’s stance and how it must look if they order torture, but we can’t allow torture to happen behind the scenes. It’s up to us as a society to come together and say what’s ok and what is not ok.
Dershowitz also goes on to say that in Israel torture has been an effective tool in obtaining information. The United States and Israel are close allies. (Dershowitz, 2006) Has the U.S. benefited from information obtained through torture from Israel? Our hands are in it, one way or the other. Understanding that regulations are needed for the betterment of all, will minimize extreme or unintended torture. I agree that torture is inevitable, I also agree laws could provide a clearer picture for those involved. Defining the steps to take when torture is used and clearly identify when it’s time to stop. Dershowitz argument is in line with Stuart Mills’ idea of consequentialism. The greater good of all is being considered in the decision making process. But, Kant would say legalizing torture doesn’t make it morally right. Legally performing torture is still morally wrong and

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