International Journal of Applied Philosophy

Volume 17, Issue 1, Spring 2003

Fritz Allhoff
Pages 121-134

Terrorism and Torture

This paper investigates the moral permissibility of torture. After briefly considering some empirical evidence, it discusses the conflict between deontological and consequentialist approaches to torture. It is argued that, even if we are to take rights seriously, torture should at least be allowed if some conditions are satisfied. Finally, the paper discusses what those conditions should be and what sorts of torture are morally permissible.