About Quote by Noam Chomsky
“There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Public Radio International, 1999
Debate over torture’s efficacy hinges on the belief that success could legitimize its use.
In simple terms: Effectiveness is used to justify torture.
Key Takeaway
Question effectiveness before justification.
Themes
ethics
politics
human rights
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- policy making
- military interrogation
- legal debates
- humanitarian advocacy
Key Concepts
justification
effectiveness
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we ever truly know if torture yields reliable information?
- Is any gain worth the moral cost?
A Different Perspective
Effectiveness is hard to measure and may be overstated.
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