Reply #40: Don't even go there

[TorchTheWitch]

Discussing it in purely hypothetical terms is disingenuous because the hypothetical has no merit. There's no point in choosing sides in a hypothetical that has no merit. This hypothetical is based on the theory that torture works. Since it doesn't work and other non-abusive methods do work, there is no premise for the hypothetical and therefore it has no merit.

Just don't go there. Choosing sides in a hypothetical that has no merit justifies it and gives it merit. Rather than do that, point out that there is no point to choosing sides in a hypothetical that has no merit, and you won't justify such a hypothetical by choosing a side, and if need be explain why it has no merit and is unworthy of answering.