Why Not Torture Terrorists?

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>The book addresses a dilemma at the heart of the 'War on Terror': is it ever justifiable to torture terrorists in order to save the lives of innocent civilians; the so-called 'ticking bomb' scenario?</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>The book first analyzes the ticking bomb dilemma as a pure moral one facing the individual would-be torturer. A 'never-say-never' utilitarian position is pitted against a 'minimal absolutist' view that some acts are never justifiable and that torture is one such act.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>It then looks at the issues that arise once a state has decided to sanction torture in extreme situations: when how and whom to torture; the institutionalization of torture; its effects on society; and its efficacy in combatting terrorism in the shorter and longer runs.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>Four models of legalized torture are next examined-including current ones in Israel and the USA and the idea of torture warrants.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>Finally related legal issues are analyzed; among them the lawfulness of coercive interrogation under international law and attempts to allow torture 'only' after the fact for instance by applying the criminal law defence of necessity.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(88 89 91 1)>A 'minimal absolutist' view - under which torture whether by private individuals or by state officials must be prohibited absolutely in law policy and practice and allowing no exceptions for ticking bomb situations - is defended throughout.</span></p>