Running head: Ethics of Torture

The Ethics of Torture in Modern Day America with Comparison to International Bylaws
Maria T. Leszczynski
Independent Study and Mentorship

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Abstract

This study was conducted in order to identify the existing protocols that are in place for
torture and compare existing practices to American teenagers views about torture. First,
international governing bodies, such as the United Nations, consider torture to be illegal.
However, numerous global powerhouses still use torture to extract information from those they
believe to be enemies of the state. To understand American teenagers views on torture, a survey
was conducted to quantify those views. These results of th survey are discussed in this in-depth
case study.

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The Ethics of Torture in Modern America;

The question of whether or not torture is warranted has always been controversial. Many
view torture as an effective way to gain vital information and protect a potentially dangerous
threat. Others view the practice as barbaric and a direct violation of human rights. However, all
of these opinions are moot because the United Nations and other international governing bodies
condemn torture. Therefore, it is illegal to torture a person according to existing international
law. Yet, many global superpowers still utilize torture as a means to gain potentially beneficial
information. Should countries, such as The United States, continue to torture prospective
enemies of the state? This moral issue was the foundation for a survey of contemporary
American teenagers views on torture.
To begin, an eleven question survey was taken by a select group of high school
students from Independence High School in Frisco, Texas. These students ranged from 9th
graders to 12th graders; the majority of those who took the survey were in the 12th grade. The
study group consisted of 106 participants. As a disclaimer, these students were not selected
randomly. The surveyor drew upon students who were easily and readily accessible (students in
my 12th grade classes). Consequently, the survey contains convenience sampling. Overall, with
this survey I was seeking the perspective of the average teenager and trying to find out why they
think a certain way. Considering that teens will one day by the backbone of american society, I
felt it was vital to sound out their opinions. In addition, teens lack sufficient exposure to this
issue to have overwhelmingly strong opinions. Therefore, this survey provided an opportunity to
attain valuable information and learn about decision making among teens, who will be making
important decisions when they are functioning members of society.

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The first question posed on the study was, In your opinion, is torture an effective
method to prevent potential danger to a country? The first question addressed the subject matter
in a broad way to see how viewpoints might shift once the questions become more specific. So,
the questions progressively become more detailed and personal . Even though this was one of the
broader questions, the results remained within a narrow range. The survey indicated 51.9%- 55%
of the participants stated that torture was not an effective way to prevent potential danger to a
country. By contrast, 48.1%- 51 people- agreed with the proposed question. While more people
were against torture to prevent danger, there is no denying that the results were divided.
In continuation, the second questioned asked, is torture an unethical practice? Again,
this question was intended to be a generalize the topic and slowly segway to more pressing
questions. The results indicated that the majority of the people believed torture is unethical. 67%71 people- agreed with this prompt. In contrast, 33%- 35% of the participants disagreed.
Question three asked, should governments conceal information about who is tortured or
how they were tortured? Since torture is illegal in international settings, most countries using
the practice conceal their activities. If they did not practice concealment, these countries would
be admitting to violations of international law. The outcome of this question showed yet again
51.9% - 55% of the participating teens were against this idea. However, 48.1%- 51 of the
participants agreed that the government should not make information public.

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To continue, the fourth question asked participants if they believed there should be a
limit to the degree someone should be tortured. This question was intended to see how severely
those in captivity should be tortured. To contextualize, should someone with less valuable
information, face torture that is less severe or should all those in custody face the same
interrogation tactics? The outcome saw 83%- 88 people- agree that there should be a limit on the
severity of the torture depending on the circumstances. 17%- 18 people- answered otherwise.
Question 5 was related to Question 4. This question stated In your opinion, should there
be a screening process for those who are under consideration for torture? This prompt actually
was the one that needed the most clarification. The intention was to see if people agreed, or
disagreed, if a person should meet certain criteria before being subject to torture. Actually, This
question generated the largest agreed consensus among all survey questions. A large majority
stated that yes there should be some form of screening process. 84.9%- 90 people- agreed;
15.1%- 16 people- disagreed.
Question 6 posed the question, In your opinion, is tortured justified considering the
psychological damage that may occur? Another influence for this inquiry was the infamous
Milgram Experiment. This experiment, conducted in the 1960s following the Nuremberg Trials,
aimed to test the obedience of an average person. Milgram wanted to see if the NAzi war
criminals claims that they were made to commit such acts were feasible defenses. So for the
study, two people- one was an actor and one a randomly selected test subject- tested how far a
person is willing to go under pressure from a superior. The test subject would ask questions to
the other person and deliver electric shocks, raising the voltage, every time they answered incorrectly. When administering the shocks, the test subject was unaware that the other person was

Ethics of Torture;

an actor pretending to receive the shocks. More than of people implemented shocks with fatal
voltage. As a result, the study demonstrated how anyone might be capable of administering
unethical acts when under dress. In turn, this question was intended to see if the participants
opinions correlated with the Milgram experiment. The outcome showed that 56.6%-60
people-did not think torture was warranted considering the psychological damage it can have.
43.4% -46 people-of people agreed with the stated question.
The seventh question stated, In your opinion, should someone who has been tortured be
eligible to sue their respective government? There have been numerous instances where
government agencies incarcerate, interrogate, and torture people who in the long run were
irrelevant. However, there is still substantial physical and psychological damage. Some have
tried to sue government agencies, but have been denied. Mainly due to the fact that accepting a
law suite indicates the government had a prior knowledge to the illegal actions taking place. Not
to say there have not been circumstances that grant a lucky few the opportunity to gain
compensation, but the majority of the time this occurred due to the carelessness of the
government and the observant eyes of an attorney who spotted a loophole. The results of the
survey showed that 70.8%- 75 people- agreed a person should have the right to go to trial. In
contrast, 29.2%- 31 people- disagreed.
Question number eight was a direct exploration of the surveys main theme, In your
opinion, is torture be considered a violation of human rights? Again, 70.8%- 75 people- agreed;
29.2%- 31 people- disagreed. This was a decisive portion of this study. With a clear majority of
the participants answering that torture is a violation of human rights, many participants
contradicted their answer to the previous seven questions.

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The following three questions all turn from objective general questions to personal
situational questions. For questions number nine, students were asked, If you had to protect
your country from a foreign threat, would you torture someone? The results displayed an
extremely tight margin. 50.9%- 54 people- responded no, while 49.1%- 52% of the participantsresponded yes. Question ten stated, If you had to protect your country from a domestic threat,
would you torture a US citizen? 54.5- 55 people- disagreed; 45.5%- 46 people- agreed. Finally,
question eleven asked, If you needed to obtain crucial information to protect your family, would
you torture someone? 65.3%- 66 people- stated yes; 34.7% -35 people- stated no. These
questions were presented at the conclusion of the questionnaire to see the impact the general
question would have one the person taking the survey.
In conclusion, the survey conveyed the sentiments of the average high school student
regarding the ethicality of torture. With the exception of questions two and eight, a clear pattern
is discernable in the answers. The trend showed a clear split between those who though torture
was warranted and those who thought it was not warranted. It was also clear that the opposition
to torture was not unanimous and that, for some, violating human rights was permissible when
the stakes were sufficiently high.

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References

McLeod, Saul. "Saul McLeod." Milgram Experiment | Simply Psychology. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web.
07 Jan. 2017. <http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html>.

The Editorial Board. "Declassify the Senate Torture Report." The New York Times. The New York
Times, 12 Dec. 2016. Web. 07 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/opinion/preserve-the-senate-torture-report-dianne-feins
tein.html?rref=collection%2f Timestopic%2F Torture
action=click&contentCollection=timestopicsion=stream module=stream_unit&version=latest
content Placement=6&type=collection&_r=0>.

"C.I.A. Doctors, Ethics and Torture." The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Nov. 2016.
Web. 07 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/opinion/cia-doctors-ethics-and-torture.html?rref=collecti
on%2Ftimestopic%2F Torture action=click&contentCollection=timestopicsion=stream
module=stream_unit&version=latest content Placement=1&type=collection>.

"BBC - Ethics - Torture: The 'ticking Bomb' Problem." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2017.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/torture/ethics/tickingbomb_1.shtml>.

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Completion Summary;
Date/s: 11/16 - 01/18
Time/s: Various
Materials:
- Google forms
- Paper
- Google docs
Objective/Purpose:
- To underdstand the average high school students point of view on the
ethicality of torture.
Description of Process:
- I researched numerous articles to understand how governments around the
world utilize torture to promote national security. Then, I conducted a
survey to display how members of society feel about torture. Then, I
compiled all of my research and the data. After I have conducted my
research, I wrote an informative essay. This essay was meant to
objectively inform the general public on the ethical dilemmas that
typically accompany law.
Utilization of Higher-Level Thinking Skills:
- Tacking controversial subject matter
- Gained first hand knowledge of the opinions of students
- Created an indepth anayslsis of results
Results:
- The survey resulted in a clear perception of peoples opinions.
Conclusions/Interpretations:
-

In conclusion, the survey conveyed the sentiments of the average high

school student regarding the ethicality of torture. With the exception of
questions two and eight, a clear pattern is discernable in the answers. The
trend showed a clear split between those who though torture was
warranted and those who thought it was not warranted. It was also clear
that the opposition to torture was not unanimous and that, for some,
violating human rights was permissible when the stakes were sufficiently
high.

Application/Meaning:
- In summation, my original work was a tool to understand how societal
views differ from the international laws set in place. As a result, I am
pleased with the outcome of my study because, in my opinion, it allowed
people to understand their own ethics and International Law as a whole.