Categorical Prohibition of Torture from the Perspective of a Utilitarian Theory of Ethics

Subject Areas : All jurisprudential issues

Seyed Hosein Alizadeh Tabatabaei ¹ (PhD of Jurisprudence and the Basics of Islamic Law, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
RahimNobahar Nobahar ² (Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran)
Seyyed Mohammad Reza Ayati ³ (Professor of Faculty of Law and Theology, Sience and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2017-04-30 Accepted : 2017-09-27 Published : 2019-03-02

Keywords: Torture, Ethics, Utilitarian theory of ethics, slippery slope argument,

Abstract :

After the spread of terrorism, a new wave of interest in torture emerged in the world. As a result, the need to theorize torture, was once again on the rise. This wave also requires moral motifs and justification. Kantian duty ethics and virtue ethics As a Two great moral system and Competitors to the utilitarian ethics have often disagreed with prescription torture. Although some interpretations of virtue ethics may be permitted torture in some cases. But The utilitarian ethic has a high capacity and ability for administration and even moral justification for torture in particular situations. Also In practice proponents of administration of torture often have invoked to The Foundations of this system as a pretext. This article has been working on the weaknesses and shortcomings of utilitarian ethics for the prescribed documentation of torture in certain circumstances and show the compatibility of absolute prohibition on torture even with an interpretation of the theory of utilitarianism

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