Question

I wamt to expand this paper and unpack it:

A prisoner has been captured, who knows the whereabouts of a hidden bomb in North America. Since, the prisoner is not talking, the following three people- Divine Command Theorist, Utilitarian and Kantian Ethicist are talking about whether to use torture as a means to get the information or not.

Divine Command Theorist (DCT)- Torture is not a method. We are nobody to punish to humans. Only God can punish humans. It is very wrong to torture another being, we would become sinners in the eyes of God, which I would never support.

Utilitarian- I understand, but can we look at the contribution of the torture action to the utility, which is getting the information from him. Surely, torture can help.

Kantian ethics (KE)- Leave alone the torture method, we need to consider the categorical imperative of the action, which is the motive. The motive is to get the information, to identify the location of the bomb and save people, which is good. Hope you both agree, troubling one to save many, would definitely get the approval of God and it contributes to the utility as you say.

DCT- I agree to your point, but can we not consider other options, before considering this method?

KE- We may have other options, but considering the urgency of the situation, we are left with only this. We cannot change him by love now. Our motive is good, to save large number of people. Trust me, God will be happy with us.

Utilitarian- I totally stand by you KE, this is the only method which we can opt, considering the very short time we have. Only this method, can maximize our chances of getting the results.

DCT- Oh God, Please help us, I also see that saving people should be the focus. Torturing one, for the cost of saving many, even God would approve, let's do it.

KE- Thanks for your understanding, you both. We shall hope for the best and approve of the torture method to get the truth.

Answer 1

DCT : Torture is the not the method to get information who are we to punish someone, when there is a God who is the creator of us who will punish him for his sons

Utilitarian: Yes DCT what you said is right GOD is there to punish people for their sins but we too have common sense of what is right and wrong.

KE : I don't know anything about God or something the only thing I know is he is a wrong person who do wrong things. So, we should punish him .

DCT: But punishing will not give a solution to our problem. We should treat him with love and make him understand the consequences of his actions

Utilitarian: DCT we are taking about a bomb which is going to explode where we are not having much time.

KE: DCT if we are having one month r one week time may we can follow the policy of non violence but here we are not having that much time of make him understand the consequences for his actions

DCT: What if he listens to us and tell us about the where about of that bomb

KE: DCT you are talking about something which will never happen if he is such a good person he should have informed the where abouts of bomb before itself because if that bomb explodes many thousands will be killed

Utilitarian: Yes DCT what KE said is right we are dealing with thousands of people lives vs one man life. I m with KE idea of torturing and getting information

DCT: KE what you said is right I too agree with you that we are thousands of lives but one life is also important

KE: DCT we will torture him to get information but we will not kill him but if that bomb explodes thousands will be dead.

Utilitarian: DCT agree with what KE said because we got no choice

DCT: Yes KE continue what you said is right I am also not seeing any other options

KE: Thanks for agreeuag with my idea.