Always wrong Quote by Peter Singer
“Torturing a human being is almost always wrong, but it is not absolutely wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Practical Ethics, 1979
Moral evaluation of torture is context‑dependent, generally condemned but not universally absolute.
In simple terms: Torture is usually wrong, but not always.
Consider context, not just rules.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- war
- interrogation
- national security
- legal debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When might exceptions be justified?
- How do we balance principles and outcomes?
Absolute moral rules may ignore complex realities.