Essay 2 : Opinion Essay

Is torture ever acceptable?

Torture can be defined as something that causes pain and pressure. In other words, it can also be called as “suffering.” Torture can also be defined as a state of misery, agony, and helplessness. It is a condition of emotional, mental, or sometimes physical suffering. Torture comes in many forms like emotional, mental, social, and physical or psychological. One biggest problem with emotional and social torture is that the person undergoing this kind of torture himself is ignorant about these signs and symptoms. How can you realize that the people around you are facing some torture? They will show some sign of weakness and fear. Besides that, they lack the immunity to fight back in these situations. One of the biggest misconceptions regarding torture is that it is related to physical abuse, but besides that, a person can be tortured in many ways. Since the past, torture’s origin has changed up to the maximum extent. The modern definition means as the inhumane behavior used to treat the beings of the world.

Now moving to the core topic that is “is torture ever acceptable”?

Torture is necessary for some situations like torturing criminals in jail to obtain some useful information. The torture done on criminals is justified in various ways like obtaining some secret information about them. On the other hand, the torturous punishments given to the prisoners are well deserved. Torture is acceptable in a few cases like if one has to die to save the life of ten other persons, the kind of torture makes a sense. It is acceptable in a few cases like government abducting some secrets from the terrorists and punishing them in the worst ways possible. Those who plan to kill hundreds of people in a bomb blast do not care about others, and it is truly justified to make them a subject of torture by establishing an example for others.

Family is one precious thing to every being on earth, and if they are in danger, one can take any torture and the risks incorporated with it. If there are potential benefits that can be gained by torture, then why say no to it. Torture can be seen in two ways, either the exploitation of human rights or the prevention of terrorism in most of the cases. Each person differs on the stance about this topic that is either acceptable or intolerable. (Torture pros and cons: Is torture ever acceptable?)

On the other hand, some people claim that torture is not tolerable and acceptable in any case. Rational beings usually stand against it because, over time, criminals most likely commit suicide instead of revealing some useful information regarding their teammates. Torture has long term physiological effects on the person, and he tends to become socially isolated. Also, there is no confirmation that the criminals will reveal the right information after being tortured in specific ways. It is one of the unethical behavior imposed on the people by the government. In the long run, torture has negative impacts on the mind and body of the person. There are other methods of obtaining information from the terrorists rather than torturing them physically. If we have a look by the religious point of the way, inflicting pain to others purposely is a sin even if they hurt you in various ways. The attacks of September 11, are the real example of it. The attack on the United States left military officers with two choices: either to torture the terrorist or see millions of civilians dying along the way. It is never promised that they reveal the right kind of information. Torture comes in many forms, and being socially tortured is another big issue these days.

(MCMAHAN)

Claims that support torture:

· Revealing right information from prisoners.

· Punishing the murderers.

· Protecting the family members.

Claims that go against torture:

· Torture does not ensure that the criminal is going to give the right information.

· Long term negative impacts on mental and body’s health.

· Cause low confidence and diminishes the immunity to fight back.

References: MCMAHAN, GARY GUTTING AND JEFF. "Can Torture Ever Be Moral?" 26 January 2015. the NEW YORK times. document. 1 Jnaury 2015. "Torture pros and cons: Is torture ever acceptable?" 2019. netivist. blog. 2019.

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