A plot has been discovered to destroy an area of a small town (about 50 people)

Question

A plot has been discovered to destroy an area of a small town (about 50 people) with a bomb which is soon to explore. It would be impossible to evacuate the area in time but possible to disarm the bomb if it can be found. A suspect, who knows the location of the bomb, is arrested by the police but refuses to divulge the information during interrogation. The police, however, are fairly confident that the suspect will succumb under harsh interrogation methods.

Argue whether it would be morally permissible to torture the suspect to extract the information. Support your response. What does your response say about how you think about ethical right and wrong?

Explanation / Answer

Most of the ethical theories would support the torturing and getting the information because it’s not about one person but about many lives that are at stake. Utilitarian ethics suggests to increase utility or benefit to many and reduce harm and if it is one versus many, then it should the lives of many against the torture of one that should be considered. Deontological ethics suggests to do one duty no matter what comes on the way, so the police has the duty to protect the citizens from the harm and in the course, they can torture one to extract information. Virtue ethics suggests that people should do what’s good and avoid wrong doing, thus the police should do good for many people by saving their lives.

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