Recently on a BBC radio program called the "Moral Maze", the issue under discussion was torture. The central question was whether there is ever a time when torture is acceptable. The panelists, in addition to the guests, involved were of radically different opinions on the matter.The situation they were given was if a man in police custody claimed to have knowledge of a bomb that would potentially kill hundreds or even thousands of people and would not share that information willingly, would it be acceptable to torture that man for information? Some argued torture was immoral in any situation. Others said that in some particular situations torture may be an effective means of getting valuable information that may save lives. Others still suggested that torture should in fact be legalized. How would you respond to this extremely difficult moral choice?
