On the other hand, Luban, would say Yoo ignores the law models and war models if they deny terrorist suspects protection as required. Yoo says, in order to convict a defendant of torture the prosecution must have establish that the torture occurred outside the United States, the defendant acted under the color of law, he victim was within the custody of the defendant, the pain or suffering should be intended. Torture is performed on victims to obtain information or confession, to punish them, for intimidation, or for discrimination. Mental pain is effected by intentional or threatened infliction of severe physical or mental pain, administration or threatened administration of mind altering substances or methods that disrupt senses or personality, threat of imminent death or threat that another person will be immediately subjected to death. Luban raised two models; first is the war model, which supports the use of lethal force on enemy troops irrespective of whether they were personally involved with the adversary.
In order to fully understand why torture may be morally justifiable we must first have a firm understanding of what torture is, and how it may also be morally impermissible. Definition of Torture Most common definitions of torture include the idea of its purpose being for revenge, punishment, cruelty, or the mere pleasure of those committing it. As a result, this has further strengthened the debate for its unethical
“Analyzing the Text” Michael Levin’s, “The Case for Torture” argues that there are various reasons for allowing torture in the United States of America. Michael Levin believes that torture is justified when victims are at risk, claiming that torture is not merely permissible but morally mandatory. The author makes hypothetical scenarios in which people’s lives are in danger and preventing future events from occurring. Then stating his position on torture when people’s lives are placed in danger. Levin’s target audience is Americans because his use of American symbolism such as “July 4,” and “unconstitutional.” In addition, the United States is not the only victim of terrorist attacks.
Either denying the act occurred or denying responsibility for it should be effective in restoring credibility in the public eye. However, if rational proof exists to prove the party is responsible, simple denial would not be a wise strategy. Another form of denial is shifting the blame. In this technique, the accused diverts attention to another party in an attempt to absolve their guilt. This strategy is effective because not only is the guilty party exonerated, but the audience’s
Contemplating the Moral Permissibility of Torture This paper is an evaluation of a work by Henry Shue in which he writes about torture. Shue points out that while torture is a violation of most international law, it continues to be used extensively throughout the world and that its use may actually be on the rise. Governments are in effect “talking the talk” in their condemnation of torture but the reality is that they are not “walking the walk” as they institute the use of torture for various means of self preservation. Shue’s primary goal seems to be to show that torture is a special entity that is far worse than even death because it is an assault against the defenseless. Shue does not necessarily attempt to show that torture is never justified.
Due to the semantic field of fear and terror running throughout the discourses of Bush and Blair their choice of lexis is crucial in conveying their political ideologies. The introduction of Bush’s speech was of dire importance. Antithesis is being used within the first sentence; Bush begins his discourse “… Our fellow citizens, our way of life…”, and then ends with “deadly terrorist acts”. Due to the contrasting image portrayed listeners feel their “way of life”, they, as individuals and citizens of America are at threat, of “deadly and deliberate terrorist attacks”. This further promotes the global normalisation of terrorism and the “War on terror”.
She elaborates on the issue of spraying chemicals and if it is increasing or decreasing the progress in the world. Carson’s article states that we are hurting ourselves more than we benefit ourselves from the spraying of harmful chemicals, and that we endanger our environment with these chemicals. In order to persuade the progressive intellectuals of this argument, Carson provides data to show the actual harm the pollution from the chemicals is causing, and provokes fear in her audience. In order to make her argument appear reasonable, Rachel Carson uses scientific observation to demonstrate how chemicals are the cause of killing pests. Carson provides rational examples to show the harm that pollution is causing to the earth and pests.
Capital Punishment and the Deterrence Theory Capital Punishment Deters Crime 11/9/2012 Dr. Ji Seun Sohn Brooke Lee Capital Punishment and the Deterrence Theory: Capital Punishment Deters Crime Jerry Kilgore said in an editorial written for USA Today, “As a former prosecutor, former secretary of public safety and now attorney general, I believe that some crimes are so evil, some criminals so dangerous and some victims so tortured that executing the criminal is appropriate” (Kilgore, 2002). Capital punishment, or commonly referred to as the death penalty, is the most controversial of all of the disciplinary practices. Since it involves taking another human being’s life, this is not at all surprising. Since it is the most severe of all sentences, there have been countless efforts to abolish the death penalty, and in most of the industrialized nations, with the exception of Japan and the United States of America, these efforts have proved effective. In this paper, I will discuss the effect that capital punishment has on deterring criminal activity.
Interrogators also use the “ticking time bomb theory”. The theory being, if a terrorist has planted a bomb and the only way to find it is to torture the terrorist, then torture is necessary to save innocent lives. Those who stand behind torture, rely on this theory because it is so persuasive. The ticking time bomb has three rationalizations; torture is justified because of the innocent lives that will be saved, torture should be attempted in extreme cases and, torture is a defense action, similar to fighting a war against a country that posses a imitate threat
As precious this book might be for mental health professional, it also have its limitations such as: 1. The danger of over diagnosis 2. The power of diagnostic labels 3. The confusion of serious mental disorders with normal problems 4. The illusion of objectivity and universality.