why torture works

There is no conclusive evidence that torture has been the key to foiling terrorist attacks or capturing or killing terrorist leaders. In a meticulously researched book that reinforces the legal and ethical arguments against torture, Shane O'Mara focuses on its effects on human physiology...As O'Mara shows, torture techniques are mentally debilitating, affecting memory as well as mood, and thereby compromise the capacity of victims to form and deliver a reliable account of any information that they may be withholding. Does it really save lives? I want to share a little background. Is torture justified? Your comment is being posted. O’Mara builds his case like a prosecutor, citing scientific studies and relentlessly poking holes in absurdities and inconsistencies in documents such as the ‘Torture Memos.’ Whether science matters to those who defend torture is another matter, as O’Mara knows: their motivation is often punitive, not practical. Only use this feature if you are certain this user has infringed netivist's Terms of Service. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. If cruelty can extract secrets that will save lives, so be it. The research says, “No” By Journalist's Resource. Torture is the act of deliberately hurting someone, physically or psychologically, as a punishment or as means of obtaining some information. Torture fails during interrogation because torture is an assault on our core integrated, social, psychological, and neural functioning. Does torture work? Please consider making a small donation today. "Why Torture Doesn't Work" is a fascinating read about the scientific research around how memory works not just for scientists, but for policymakers, attorneys, academics, and especially for government officials who are involved in interrogation techniques and practices. Just login. We will help you do it! During World War II, for example, the Gestapo used torture with considerable effectiveness on captured agents working for Britain's Special Operations Executive, the top-secret organization dedicated to sabotage and subversion behind Axis lines. And it's even been a part of U.S. policy. Torture is one of the most extreme forms of human violence, resulting in both physical and psychological consequences. Already have an account on netivist? Following an US Senate report on the CIA torture program the Obama administration introduced reforms to abandon the use of torture. The reasons why torture is wrong can be divided into reasons of pure principle and reasons based on the bad consequences of torture. Would you like to create a debate and share it with the netivist community? The right to freedom from torture is a universally recognized human right and one of the foundations of international law. This will allow us to keep netivist alive and available to We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The argument that torture works cannot simply be dismissed. Your vote is anonymous. why torture doesnaeurt work the neuroscience of interrogation Nov 13, 2020 Posted By Robin Cook Publishing TEXT ID c6121b30 Online PDF Ebook Epub Library trained as interrogators they become more likely to think others are lying to them this belief can lead to alarming errors whereby people are shane omara harvard university If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. Does the use of torture defeat the very foundations of the systems we want to preserve? Therefore, comparatively speaking, the most commonly used torture methods used by police and intelligence services are not that cruel. January 26, 2017. At first, nothing happens. The "enhanced" techniques of interrogation used to gather intelligence from prisoners by some government agencies and organizations, such as the CIA, are questionable from an ethical and democratic point of view. In ancient times, (and probably sadly in modern times as well) a slow form of torture was used that involved tying someone up, holding them in place, and letting water slowly drip on their head for hours, even days. Given what we know of the brain, memory, mood and … Some terrorist and criminal groups use extremely brutal methods to torture and kill their victims. Why we must never return to its use. Please try again. HuffPost is part of Verizon Media. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. Besides being cruel and inhumane, torture does not work the way torturers assume it does. Tortured people may still withhold the valid information they know or reveal misleading information. Some claim that torture may be a necessary evil to guarantee peace and security. Join with confidence, netivist is completely advertisement free. He then escaped. You will not receive any promotional materials from third parties. 'Waterboarding' has even been tested in volunteers. But as the incessant drip, drip, drip continues, it takes its terrible toll on the victim, driving them mad, getting them to do anything to make it stop. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. In this case the welfare and protection of the country (many) legitimizes the harm done to one or few. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. Some terrorist or members of organized crime gangs are trained not to reveal information. Torture can be sometimes the only way to extract information from suspect criminals. Please let us know! Keep up the good work. How can we expect citizens to act according to the laws and commonly accepted moral standards when the government does not respect them. But Chinese water torture doesn’t involve immersion in water. I’m executive director of the Center for Victims of Torture, CVT. However, from a deontological perspective, it can be argued that torture is an intrinsically morally repugnant act that violates human and civil rights. From a consequentialist ethical angle these acts of "enhanced interrogation" or torture are justified on the basis of saving lives. The strange but … https://www.psychologytoday.com › ... › 201701 › does-torture-work Click here for the lowest price! This could essential in cases when there is little time to prevent an attack. Chinese water torture was never originally called Chinese water torture. President Trump has brought this discussion back to the political agenda. Many human right advocates are afraid that this means the return of practices such as waterboarding. Actually there are many reasons. Of course, if the purpose of the torture is merely to get a confession — any confession at all, rather than to extract information — as in, the purpose is not necessarily to actually find the true guilty party, but just to have someone, anyone, to fill role of the Fall Guy or The Scapegoat, then torture can be said to be quite effective indeed. Why Torture Doesn't Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation: O'Mara, Shane: Amazon.nl Selecteer uw cookievoorkeuren We gebruiken cookies en vergelijkbare tools om uw winkelervaring te verbeteren, onze services aan te bieden, te begrijpen hoe klanten onze services gebruiken zodat we verbeteringen kunnen aanbrengen, en om advertenties weer te geven. The use of torture by government may have a deterrent effect upon the comission of crime. Humanity's relationship with torture has always been a complicated one. During the George W. Bush administration, the CIA employed what it called “enhanced interrogation techniques” on detainees around the world. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. But neuroscientists know a lot about how the brain … This could essential in cases when there is little time to prevent an attack. And why we must wipe it from the face of the earth. Why wouldn't torture be effective? And in fact, Houdini’s escape had very little to do with the Chinese torture practice.In Houdini’s act, he was suspended upside down, immersed in water. Torture “doesn’t work. There are better ways to deal with captives,” CIA director Porter Goss told the Senate Intelligence Committee on February 16. Scientists have found that the extreme stress of torture impairs memory and creates false memories, and can induce psychosis. Let's assume that we have the right guy, and that he does in fact know the information that we need. It has been used for thousands of years and it is still occurring throughout much of the world. For example, the US senate investigation did not find that the use of waterboarding was crucial in the killing of Bin Laden. The harm caused to one or few people could prevent much greater harm to society. Source: Composite by G_marius based on Justin Norman's and KamrenB Photography's images. Both sorts of reason are valid. It absolutely works. Why Torture Doesn’t Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation by Shane O'Mara. Torturing is against the law in most countries but some utilitarians would claim that if the overall harm prevented is lower than that caused to the suspected criminal, then it is worth it. From a retributivist perspective, the damage that torture causes to some criminals can be justified as a deserved punishment. Your vote is anonymous. Watch these videos providing opposing view on whether turture can ever be justified: We summarize some of the most commonly cited advantages and disadvantages of the utilization of torture techniques such as waterboarding to extract information: Emerging questions: Should governments, in some cases, use torture to save lives or prevent further harm to their citizens? If it contains abusive or inappropriate language its author will be penalized. Torture pros and cons: Is torture ever acceptable? CIA officers and others conducted torture using precisely this justification. Why Torture Doesn’t Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation (English Edition) eBook: O'Mara, Shane: Amazon.de: Kindle-Shop Wählen Sie Ihre Cookie-Einstellungen Wir verwenden Cookies und ähnliche Tools, um Ihr Einkaufserlebnis zu verbessern, um unsere Dienste anzubieten, um zu verstehen, wie die Kunden unsere Dienste nutzen, damit wir Verbesserungen vornehmen können, und um Werbung … As Shane O’Mara’s account of the neuroscience of suffering reveals, extreme stress creates profound problems for memory, mood, and thinking, and sufferers predictably produce information that is deeply unreliable, or even counterproductive and dangerous. Hardcover, 9780674743908, 0674743903 In countless films and TV shows such as Homeland and 24, torture is portrayed as a harsh necessity. For ethical reasons, there are no scientific studies of torture. In the context of war and counter terrorism some countries allow the abuse of prisoners as a means to prevent attacks or locate high profile targets. We are having trouble saving your comment. Some torture techniques, such as waterboarding, do not entail long term physical consequences for the prisoner. Besides being cruel and inhumane, torture does not work the way torturers assume it does. The use of torture by governments can be use as propaganda by terrorists. Torture can be sometimes the only way to extract information from suspect criminals. If you are new to netivist, please create your account for free and start collecting your netivist points! This might take a few seconds, please wait. Create your account for free. O'Mara clearly show not only why torture doesn't work, but why it can't. NOTE: Your account might be penalized should we not find any wrongdoing by this user. Why I'm Glad That Torture Works 05/09/2011 09:35 am ET Updated Jul 09, 2011 John Yoo, author of the infamous torture memo that manipulated legal materials to justify the use of torture for interrogation during the Bush Administration, has been crowing all over the media that the death of Osama bin Laden shows that torture works. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. However, Donald Trump, during his first week in office declared that torture is effective ("absolutely, I feel it works"). Torturers commonly remove fingernails, teeth and digits from victims, but any body part could be a target. But many doubt of the real effectiveness of torture. There have been no 'trials' or torture to rely on, so O'Mara uses information relating to other psychological manipulations; and, remarkably, all the widely used methods of torture have been simulated elsewhere. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Our moderators will now review this comment and act accordingly. Torture, as well as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, is banned … Ancient civilizations used torture in much the same way some cultures use it today: to gain information, to punish wrongdoers and sometimes just for sadistic pleasure. Sometimes torture goes beyond the search for information and becomes a sort of cruel, Torture is illegal in most countries and the International Criminal Court class torture as a. As Shane O'Mara's account of the neuroscience of suffering reveals, extreme stress creates profound problems for memory, mood, and thinking, and sufferers predictably produce information that is deeply unreliable, or even counterproductive and dangerous. Are you experiencing any technical problem with netivist? As means of obtaining some information intelligence Committee on February 16 by Shane O'Mara waterboarding crucial. 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