Waterboarding: A Theoretical Analysis

Waterboarding is defined in Webster’s dictionary as “an interrogation technique in which water is forced into a detainee’s mouth and nose as to induce the sensation of drowning” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). It is performed to obtain information that can be useful to the interrogator in the furtherance of his/her goals. The use of waterboarding as an interrogation technique was first documented in the 14th century. It involved the use of water to induce confessions as a “normal incident of law” (Weiner, 2007). President George W. Bush first approved the use of waterboarding against alleged September 11th terrorist attacks plotter Khalid Sheik Mohammed in 2003. President Bush has stated many times that he personally approved the use of this technique in an effort to prevent further loss of life from possible future terrorist attacks (Bush, 2010). Since its first documented use, waterboarding has proven to be an effective, non-lethal method of obtaining vital information that has proven to prevent loss of life. Therein lays the moral conundrum and the question to be answered: Is it morally defensible to use waterboarding as an interrogation technique? There are several normative ethical theories but the one that most closely aligns with the moral defense of waterboarding is consequentialism, which states that the moral value of an act is …show more content…
The interrogation of a prisoner using waterboarding, while difficult for the prisoner, is non-lethal, effective, and has given governments information that has prevented loss of innocent life. Opponents believe waterboarding is torture; torture denotes pain, physical abuse, and possibly death. There are many documented interviews of former prisoners who have been the recipient of this technique. They have survived and been able to give detailed accounts of their