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Findings Quote by George Carlin

“People get all upset about torture, but when you get right down to it, it's really a pretty good way of finding out something a person doesn't want you to know.” quote by George Carlin
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“People get all upset about torture, but when you get right down to it, it's really a pretty good way of finding out something a person doesn't want you to know.”

George Carlin

About This Quote

Source Stand‑up Comedy: “The Great American Laughter” Tour, 1999

Torture is presented as an effective, albeit immoral, method to extract unwanted information.

In simple terms: Torture may reveal secrets but is ethically wrong.

Key Takeaway

Consider the moral cost of using force for truth.

Themes

ethics power information coercion

Mood

cynical provocative

Type

satirical critical

When to use this quote

  • interrogations
  • war crimes
  • law enforcement
  • political debate

Key Concepts

human rights moral philosophy statecraft

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is any knowledge worth violating human dignity?
  • What alternatives exist for gathering information?
A Different Perspective

Effectiveness is questionable and often produces false or unreliable data.

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