Should The US Use Torture On Terrorist Subjects

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

Shue goes on to define "basic rights" as those of security and subsistence. He argues for the right of every man to be assured of living a reasonable and healthy life, and by security he means the right to "the physical integrity of the person, the right to not be subjected to murder, torture, mayhem, rape or assault" (Shue, 20).

Upon reading this, one might assume that Shue is arguing that it is inevitably wrong for the U.S. to directly or indirectly torture terrorist subjects in an effort to extract information. By doing so, the U.S. is denying the men/women involved their right to security. However, further reading results in the following interpretation: by torturing suspected terrorists in an effort to extract information, the U.S. is guaranteeing and encouraging the "security and subsistence" of its own citizens, and those in other countries. This is by far, a much more sound and reasonable argument.

According to Falk, Human rights ideology sets limits on the power ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

compromised.

Shue states that "Basic rights are the morality of the depths. They specify the line beneath which no one is to be allowed to sink" (Shue, 18). Terrorists should not be allowed to sink to a level at which they compromise the longevity and healthy lifestyle of other individuals. Yet, their activities by nature cause a lack of balance in security and subsistence rights. The U.S. would be acting as a counterbalance agent, and by torturing the torturer, bringing leverage to the injustices committed by future barbaric and heinous crimes that may have otherwise been committed.

Governments unarguably have a responsibility toward their citizens, a point well spoken by Falk. ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: