writing assignment
This assignment is based on your readings of John Perry’s chapters 2 and 5. As regards chapter 5, in addition to the task below, pay attention to the issues of trust and trauma.
In chapter 2, we learn that Catholic Church Law (based on the older Roman Law) permitted torture from the 12th century onward, until outlawed in 1789 in France. One of the Casuists (Juan de Lugo) argued that since we condemn people to death, torture is permissible, along the following reasoning: ‘since death is graver than injury, torture is permissible.’
I like you to engage this kind of “Casuistic” thinking with the actual experiences of torture (ch 5), especially with regard to Peter Moen’s testimony that a tortured person “experienced some of their worst anguish in the intervals between torture sessions,” and Diana Ortiz recalling, “And I learned that my words—even the truth—can betray me.” Given the discrepancy between those who justify the use of torture and those who experience torture, should torture, in light of your learned understanding, be permissible?
Typewritten, 1.5 spacing, no less than 600 words. Include word count.
