With the time bomb scenario, the writer only suggests that torture not to be used if the captors were 50% or less certain the detainee knew where the bomb was planted and the time of detonation.
Does that means it is OK to torture if the certainly level goes up to 60% or even 70%?
I think it is OK to torture for information if there are experts who are able to determine and separate prisoners rated with higher percentage of information knowledge than the others.
The trick is who and how do you certifies the experts and the acceptable methods and parameter of such determination.
Once this is dealt with, the rest will fall into place.
#4 Agreed with your comment that the writer was not making sense with certainty level issue.
However, it is a real trick about who is really an expert who is qualified to judge whether the suspect in custody has the needed info to save lives.
I'd have no qualms resorting to torturing someone I personally witnessed kidnapping my children.
Policemen and soldiers are legitimately issued with firearms and operate under strict rules for use of their weapons. That is no different from sanctioning the use of torture to extract information to save lives - a lot depend on the circumstances and judgment on the spot.
And unlike a policeman who carries a side-arm during peace times, but is expected to make hasty judgment in the heat of the moment to shoot at a suspect, the authorities have more leeway in determining the probability of the suspect knowing the required information and whether the information is important enough to warrant extreme measures.
The ticking bomb scenario sketched by Dr Mooney can happen in real life and can easily result in the loss of human lives in the hundreds or thousands, if appropriate actions are not taken.
Of course such a situation would necessitate careful evaluation of all the pros and cons, including the use of torture. If Mr Price is the person vested with the power of making the final decision, he will presumably choose not to torture, even if there are no other effective options, and risk a disaster of a magnitude described above.
In dealing with terrorists, I go all out to fully support toturing, using all and any method. If false information given and cetified, increase the intensity and frequency till the detainee goes crazy.
Terrorist might be brave enough to sacrifice, if the death to him is fast and minimum pain. However, torture is continuous and indefinite unless he is dead, and the worse is the detainee never knows what will be serve to him next. How many can take it???
October 30, 2008 Thursday, 07:56 AM
