Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture: A Philosophical Analysis
Fritz Allhoff
Abstract
The general consensus among philosophers is that the use of torture is never justified. This book demonstrates the weakness of the case against torture. While allowing that torture constitutes a moral wrong, it nevertheless argues that, in exceptional cases, it represents the lesser of two evils. The book does not take this position lightly. It begins by examining the way terrorism challenges traditional norms, discussing the morality of various practices of torture, and critically exploring the infamous ticking time-bomb scenario. After carefully considering these issues from a purely philoso ... More
The general consensus among philosophers is that the use of torture is never justified. This book demonstrates the weakness of the case against torture. While allowing that torture constitutes a moral wrong, it nevertheless argues that, in exceptional cases, it represents the lesser of two evils. The book does not take this position lightly. It begins by examining the way terrorism challenges traditional norms, discussing the morality of various practices of torture, and critically exploring the infamous ticking time-bomb scenario. After carefully considering these issues from a purely philosophical perspective, the book turns to the empirical ramifications of his arguments, addressing criticisms of torture and analyzing the impact its adoption could have on democracy, institutional structures, and foreign policy. The crucial questions of how to justly authorize torture and how to set limits on its use make up the final section of the book.
Keywords:
torture,
moral wrong,
terrorism,
traditional norms,
morality,
democracy,
institutional structures,
foreign policy
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2012 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780226014838 |
| Published to Chicago Scholarship Online: September 2013 |
DOI:10.7208/chicago/9780226014821.001.0001 |
