Reference no: EM132050566

Question: Group discussion board forum 2 instructions

To Torture or Not to Torture

This course utilizes the Post-First feature in all Discussion Board Forums. This means you will only be able to read and interact with your classmates' threadsafter you have submitted your Thread in response to the provided prompt. For additional information on Post-First.

Note: You must read Holmes chapters 4-7 and 14 in order tocompletethis assignment.If you have not done so, stop now and read that material.

The ethical issue: One of the ethical controversies of recent times is the practice of using torture toobtain information from suspected terrorists or those with knowledge of terrorist activities. Some believe that the current threat of terrorism warrants such drastic means, while others believe that torture is never a justifiable manner ofhandling prisoners of war.

The scenario: Suppose a situation presents itself in which there are strong reasons to believe a major attack on U.S. soil is immanent and that many lives will be put in danger. Security forces have captured a terrorist andthey have very good reasons to believe he has vital information that can lead to thwarting this attack. They have tried the usual means of obtaining information from the prisoner and none of them have been successful;his resolve not to talk is quite strong. However, security forces are now considering torturing the prisoner.Theybelieve, with a high degree of probability, that torture will break his resolve and he will supply the needed information.

The question: Should they torture the prisoner?

Your thread (at least 350 words) must consist of 2 parts:

1. From your understanding of Holmes' discussions, explain how each one of the following theories might answer the question of torture described in the scenario: utilitarianism, Kantian duty-based ethics, virtue ethics, and Christian-principle based ethics.

2. Select the theory you think is true in the context of the torture issue,andexplain why.

For your reply, locate a member of your group with whom you disagree and tell him/her why you disagree (in at least 200 words). The disagreement could be over which view he/she took, or his/her understanding of the other views. Focus on the ethical concepts.

Any sources used must be cited, and quotations donot count towards the requiredword count.

Submit both your thread and your reply by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.