In the perfect world, the view from the ivory tower is always beautiful. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. I earlier put forth a hypothetical situation and was accused of being "clever" and of possibly trying to use that scenario to back up my own position on the subject of torture.
Both accusations were 100% wrong.
What I tried to do was to set up a situation where there was no right answer; a situation where either way a man could go, his soul would be stained.
I hoped to spark some discussion about this grey area. Instead, we have simply gotten more of the same absolutist crap.
So once again: it isn't always black and white, folks. There are times (witness my scenario) where the lesser of two evils MUST be chosen.
This was my scenario.

Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:50 PM

Hypothetical question.
You have a captive whom you believe has information which can save thousands of lives. But he/she refuses to talk.
If you torture him/her, you may get the information.
If you do not get the information, thousands die horribly.
Is there any moral justification in favor of torture?
Is there any moral justification against torture?
For the sake of preventing end runs, you have only 24 hours before the cataclysm occurs, and this is the only link you have. You
know that it will happen but not what or where.

As I said, I have no position on the subject. Each situation stands on its own merits and a decision must be made each time. There should be no set policy.
THAT I would object to very strongly.

troll