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The Ethical Perspective of Torture
Torture involves the inflicting of pain on an individual who is not in support of the action against him; and, is defenseless against the torturer. It involves restriction on the independence of an individual and it is an effort to break the will of a person. Most individuals use torture in an effort to get information, confessions or for an individual to publicly condemn another or to condemn a particular action. There is the practice of torture in the name of achieving the greater good; for instance, the utilitarian theory supports this argument which is formed on the basis of consequentialism. On the other hand, the deontological ethical theory would seek to prove torture is not morally right since the end does not justify the means. Torture is not morally justifiable because it is a cruel method, which infringes on a person’s right to enjoy independence …show more content…
From this theory, the actions of human beings are moral if they are in accordance with the moral laws existing in nature (MacKinnon 58). The actions must be naturally acceptable to the universe and people pick up on the natural law from their surroundings. When acceptance of actions is universal, there is a reduction of biasness in their interpretation and application. Consequently, people will then understand and adhere to laws, which are natural to them with ease. From this approach, torture is morally unacceptable since it involves restricting an individual’s ability to use his independence and also involves breaking his will to attain results through inflicting pain. It is not human nature to inflict pain on each other and therefore there is no moral justification of torture from the perspective of the natural law theory. The actions of individuals should ensure the fulfillment of human beings; however, torture deprives the persecuted victim this
Course
Tutor
Date
The Ethical Perspective of Torture
Torture involves the inflicting of pain on an individual who is not in support of the action against him; and, is defenseless against the torturer. It involves restriction on the independence of an individual and it is an effort to break the will of a person. Most individuals use torture in an effort to get information, confessions or for an individual to publicly condemn another or to condemn a particular action. There is the practice of torture in the name of achieving the greater good; for instance, the utilitarian theory supports this argument which is formed on the basis of consequentialism. On the other hand, the deontological ethical theory would seek to prove torture is not morally right since the end does not justify the means. Torture is not morally justifiable because it is a cruel method, which infringes on a person’s right to enjoy independence …show more content…
From this theory, the actions of human beings are moral if they are in accordance with the moral laws existing in nature (MacKinnon 58). The actions must be naturally acceptable to the universe and people pick up on the natural law from their surroundings. When acceptance of actions is universal, there is a reduction of biasness in their interpretation and application. Consequently, people will then understand and adhere to laws, which are natural to them with ease. From this approach, torture is morally unacceptable since it involves restricting an individual’s ability to use his independence and also involves breaking his will to attain results through inflicting pain. It is not human nature to inflict pain on each other and therefore there is no moral justification of torture from the perspective of the natural law theory. The actions of individuals should ensure the fulfillment of human beings; however, torture deprives the persecuted victim this