Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture: A Philosophical Analysis
by Fritz Allhoff
University of Chicago Press, 2012 Cloth: 978-0-226-01483-8 | eISBN: 978-0-226-01482-1 Library of Congress Classification HV8593.A425 2012 Dewey Decimal Classification 174.936467
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
ABOUT THIS BOOK
The general consensus among philosophers is that the use of torture is never justified. In Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture, Fritz Allhoff demonstrates the weakness of the case against torture; while allowing that torture constitutes a moral wrong, he nevertheless argues that, in exceptional cases, it represents the lesser of two evils.
Allhoff does not take this position lightly. He begins by examining the way terrorism challenges traditional norms, discussing the morality of various practices of torture, and critically exploring the infamous ticking time-bomb scenario. After carefully considering these issues from a purely philosophical perspective, he turns to the empirical ramifications of his arguments, addressing criticisms of torture and analyzing the impact its adoption could have on democracy, institutional structures, and foreign policy. The crucial questions of how to justly authorize torture and how to set limits on its use make up the final section of this timely, provocative, and carefully argued book.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Fritz Allhoff is associate professor of philosophy at Western Michigan University and a senior research fellow at the Center for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the Australian National University. He is coauthor of What Is Nanotechnology and Why Does It Matter? and the editor or coeditor of numerous volumes, including Wine & Philosophy, Physicians at War, and The Philosophy of Science.
REVIEWS
“Professor Allhoff has written a challenging work that is sure to generate controversy among both the supporters and critics of the United States' war on terror. He applies philosophical, legal, and political approaches to deepen our understanding of modern terrorism, the ticking-time-bomb hypothetical and national security. His methodical arguments and brave conclusions will not please everyone, but it will press them all to become more rigorous in their thinking and more careful in their judgments. Anyone interested in the difficult questions posed by the 9/11 attacks and the US's response will want to read this book.”—John Yoo, University of California, Berkeley
— John Yoo, University of California, Berkeley
“Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture adds much to current discussion of a great many issues. Fritz Allhoff broadens the torture and terrorism debate, deftly analyzes exceptionalism and absolutism, probes the ticking-time-bomb scenario to surprising and controversial effect, and offers novel empirical data and a trenchant interpretation of complex legal issues.”
— Michael L. Gross, University of Haifa
“Allhoff’s book provides a much needed corrective to the now-dominant view in philosophical circles that the ticking-time-bomb case cannot be made fruitful for a justification of torture. Skillfully bridging theory and practice, his arguments are also of wider ethical significance beyond the confines of the torture debate.”
— Uwe Steinhoff, University of Hong Kong
“This hardheaded, utilitarian argument is a useful contraposition to most discussions of the topic.”
— R. Heineman, Choice
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is Terrorism?
The Moral Status of Terrorism
The War on Terror and the Ethics of Exceptionalism
Conceptual and Moral Foundations of Torture
Ticking-Time-Bomb Methodology
Should We Torture in Ticking-Time-Bomb Cases?
Empirical Objections to Torture
Ex Ante and Ex Post Justifications
The Limits of Torture
Part II: Torture and Ticking Time-Bombs
Part I: Terrorism
Preface
Contents
Part III: Torture and the Real World
Notes
Bibliography
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who has a disability that prevents you
from using this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the disability coordinator at your school fill out this form.
Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture: A Philosophical Analysis
by Fritz Allhoff
University of Chicago Press, 2012 Cloth: 978-0-226-01483-8 eISBN: 978-0-226-01482-1
The general consensus among philosophers is that the use of torture is never justified. In Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture, Fritz Allhoff demonstrates the weakness of the case against torture; while allowing that torture constitutes a moral wrong, he nevertheless argues that, in exceptional cases, it represents the lesser of two evils.
Allhoff does not take this position lightly. He begins by examining the way terrorism challenges traditional norms, discussing the morality of various practices of torture, and critically exploring the infamous ticking time-bomb scenario. After carefully considering these issues from a purely philosophical perspective, he turns to the empirical ramifications of his arguments, addressing criticisms of torture and analyzing the impact its adoption could have on democracy, institutional structures, and foreign policy. The crucial questions of how to justly authorize torture and how to set limits on its use make up the final section of this timely, provocative, and carefully argued book.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Fritz Allhoff is associate professor of philosophy at Western Michigan University and a senior research fellow at the Center for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the Australian National University. He is coauthor of What Is Nanotechnology and Why Does It Matter? and the editor or coeditor of numerous volumes, including Wine & Philosophy, Physicians at War, and The Philosophy of Science.
REVIEWS
“Professor Allhoff has written a challenging work that is sure to generate controversy among both the supporters and critics of the United States' war on terror. He applies philosophical, legal, and political approaches to deepen our understanding of modern terrorism, the ticking-time-bomb hypothetical and national security. His methodical arguments and brave conclusions will not please everyone, but it will press them all to become more rigorous in their thinking and more careful in their judgments. Anyone interested in the difficult questions posed by the 9/11 attacks and the US's response will want to read this book.”—John Yoo, University of California, Berkeley
— John Yoo, University of California, Berkeley
“Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture adds much to current discussion of a great many issues. Fritz Allhoff broadens the torture and terrorism debate, deftly analyzes exceptionalism and absolutism, probes the ticking-time-bomb scenario to surprising and controversial effect, and offers novel empirical data and a trenchant interpretation of complex legal issues.”
— Michael L. Gross, University of Haifa
“Allhoff’s book provides a much needed corrective to the now-dominant view in philosophical circles that the ticking-time-bomb case cannot be made fruitful for a justification of torture. Skillfully bridging theory and practice, his arguments are also of wider ethical significance beyond the confines of the torture debate.”
— Uwe Steinhoff, University of Hong Kong
“This hardheaded, utilitarian argument is a useful contraposition to most discussions of the topic.”
— R. Heineman, Choice
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is Terrorism?
The Moral Status of Terrorism
The War on Terror and the Ethics of Exceptionalism
Conceptual and Moral Foundations of Torture
Ticking-Time-Bomb Methodology
Should We Torture in Ticking-Time-Bomb Cases?
Empirical Objections to Torture
Ex Ante and Ex Post Justifications
The Limits of Torture
Part II: Torture and Ticking Time-Bombs
Part I: Terrorism
Preface
Contents
Part III: Torture and the Real World
Notes
Bibliography
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who has a disability that prevents you
from using this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the disability coordinator at your school fill out this form.
It can take 2-3 weeks for requests to be filled.
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE