Reply #62: If torture works, why shouldn't we use it?

[Jim__]

I have no doubt that on occasion, torture can be used to extract information, good information. Does that mean that it works? We can only look at things within some context. Let's look at torture within the context of the US government administering torture. Can it work?

Let's say that the US government is torturing someone to get information they believe that the suspect has and that getting this information will contribute to the security of the United States. But, what is the United States and why do we want to protect it? To me, what makes the US worth protecting is its (at least theoretical) belief in and respect for human rights. But torture, and especially torture to extract information we "suspect" this person may have is clearly a violation of human rights. So, can we protect the United States by violating the essential feature that makes it worth protecting?

And, if we agree that the US can commit torture under certain circumstances, does anyone believe that the US will not eventually (if it hasn't already) torture its own citizens? Don't we lose what we are fighting for if we allow torture? If that's so, can torture work?