Arguments Against Torture
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The document argues against the use of torture for intelligence gathering, asserting that it is unacceptable under any circumstances, despite some attempts to justify stress positions within Geneva Convention parameters. It critiques various explanations for the occurrence of torture, including the 'bad apple' theory and the 'elites explanation,' ultimately advocating for a recognition of systemic flaws that lead to dehumanization and the prioritization of information over human rights. The author emphasizes the need to uphold the standards set by the Convention Against Torture, which the United States has signed.
Arguments Against Torture
- 1. Arguments Against Torture Under no circumstances should torture be an acceptable method to gain intelligence. In specific situations, stress positions can be adequate as long as they're still within the parameters of the Geneva Conventions. The United States signed the document at the Convention Against Torture and thus needs to uphold the conditions of the agreement. Through the works of Hooks and Mosher and the Torture Memos, I hope to justify my belief that torture is unacceptable. The torture memos outline the basis for the Geneva Conventions. It is understandable that people may act irrationally and in fear after what occurred on 9/11. However, that does not justify the inhumane act of torture. Although the Department of Justice and somewhat the Department of ...show more content... However, it has come to light that torture methods have been used by the United States government. The best way to prevent torture from happening is to identify how it was justified. First, these authors look at the bad apple theory. This theory is that some low–level guys continued to push the torture further even though they were not advised to. By following through with this claim the United States fired lots of low level officials hoping that it would solve the issues. The issue with this is that the low–level people were getting instruction from someone higher up, and were therefore taking responsibility for the people in charge. Clearly, the bad apple scenario was not the issue for the United States. The next theory that the authors look at is called the elites explanation. This states that the people in charge of the United States government are the ones in charge for this. Although convincing, I do not believe this is entirely true. I think that there are flaws in the system that end up leading to the abuse of power. Thus, this leads to the final theory known as the structural explanation. This states that there is callous cruelty in information gathering and there is dehumanization of torture. These are clearly two flaws within our system. The first is that people are falling into the idea that is more important to get information than to follow someone's basic human rights. I think this is wrong and does not give a valid reason for Get more content on HelpWriting.net