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A New Perspective: The Injustice Of Torture

850 Words4 Pages

Kally Johns
Dr. John Burchill
CRIM 105: Introduction to Justice
28 March 2016
A New Perspective: The Injustice of Torture

There are various debates and conflicts about the subject of torture and if it is ever justified. Most individuals believe that torture violates the human dignity of the victim. Comparatively, other individuals express that some situations exist in which torture is justifiable, depending on the circumstances. Similarly, my original opinion on torture also expressed the belief that torture may be justified in certain situations. However, throughout the semester the ideals of Immanuel Kant, and the understanding of the human right involving no torture, inhumane, or degrading treatment, have instigated a change in my beliefs. …show more content…

This declaration declares that there shall be no torture, inhuman or degrading treatment to an individual (United Nations). Prior to this class, I honestly was unaware about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the actual human rights for every individual. However, with its exposure I felt that I had an obligation to abide by these rights. If I was allowed to enjoy the universal dignity set forth by the declaration, why should others be denied equal treatment. Another perspective of torture is expressed by Immanuel Kant, and also influenced a change in my opinion. Kant argues that a person is good or bad depending on the motivation of their actions, not the goodness of the consequences of those actions (Sandel 2009). As Kant said, if someone's emotions and desires cause them to do something, then it is not morally right because it wasn't motivated by moral or ethical rules. For example, in a real world situation, where the subject killed someone close to you, the motive of the torturer is not that simple. Anger, can easily take over under these extreme circumstances. Therefore, the motives of those viewing torture as “ok” in the situation, are no longer pure. These ideals allowed me to rethink my perspective on torture. No matter the actions of an individual, or the consequences of not torturing someone, I have began to realize that no …show more content…

Throughout this class I have gone from the belief that torture can be morally justified to the belief that torture is unacceptable, no matter the situation. It is a universal human right that "No one shall be subject to torture" (United Nations). The Kantian ideals that torture is a form of injustice, greatly influenced my new opinion. Every human life should be rewarded with respect, without any torture or other mental or physical pain. I believe that torture is cruel and unjust. It is the ultimate violation of another human being's basic human rights. Thus torture is unacceptable in any case. Instead, as a nation we have to set a role model as humanity and respect everyone's equal

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