Aristotle's View Of Torture

Words: 1493
Pages: 6
Open Document
The act of torture is deeply rooted in justice as it can serve as an either a means or an end, so in order us to draw a conclusion by both philosopher thoughts on the matter. We must first focus our attention to the concept of justice. Once we have determined each philosopher outlook justice we can then properly assess whether torture is just or unjust and if is condemned or accepted by either philosopher.
We can begin by looking at Aristotle views which as describe in Book II of Nicomachean Ethics, are centered on the idea that being “happy” is the ultimate end and that in this, ultimate end is brought up by virtuous acts. Aristotle then goes on to state that a persons’ life would essentially be meaningless unless there was not a constant …show more content…
Aristotle devotes Book V in the Nicomachean Ethics to the topic of Justice, he states that “Moreover, justice is a complete virtue to the highest degree because it is the complete exercise of complete virtue… the person who has justice is able to exercise virtue in relation to another not only in what concerns himself” (V.1, p. 69). With this, we can see that Aristotle holds justice as one of the highest virtues, because in considers not only oneself but others, which can help us begin to form a conclusion on how Aristotle would view torture in general. However, there could be different reasons in which torture could be used, so we will examine those instances as well. The first instance in which we could examine is, if a person were to torture another without reason. On this Aristotle, “But whenever his decision is the cause, he is unjust and vicious” (V.8, p. 80). Since the torturer is doing this as just a means to inflict harm, Aristotle would consider it an extreme act of malice causing it to be wicked and vicious based on the fact the one is willingly inflicting injustice on to someone else. Next we could look at in terms of torture being as a means of punishment for unjust behavior then it becomes more complicated. Aristotle raises the idea that being law-abiding might not …show more content…
That is would it be right to use to torture in order to better the community, whether that be to exploit a potential threat through information gathering or anything of that nature. Both Mill and Aristotle hold community in very regard, especially utilitarianism where the good of the many out weights the good the one. In chapter V of Utilitarianism Mill view of justice suggest that it is, in fact, connected to a particular kind of utility, which is security, he states, “…security no human being can possibly do without” (V, p. 54). With that in it would be correct to say that an end to could justify a mean if that end had a higher overall utility, then its mean. In this cases the utility of security, which again Mill mention is very important, of the community and the happiness associated with that would greatly out weight the disutility of the one being tortured, and Mill would have to accept that. However, even though Aristotle believes that in order to be happy one must be a functioning member of society and do right by it. The act of torture would still lean on the side of an extreme act which for Aristotle are the main cause of viscous character, meaning that Aristotle would still condemn the use of
Show More

Related Documents: Aristotle's View Of Torture

Galileo And Aristotles And Their Effect On Science And Religion Debate

Galileo and Aristotle’s and their effect on the Science and Religion Debate TONETTE BEAMON Galileo and Aristotle’s and their effect on the Science and Religion Debate Many people believe that science and religion are separate although scientific theory roots can be linked to religion and the church’s view of the world. Religious people and scientist have disagreed for years about what is considered truth when it comes to science and religion but some scientist and religious people with moderate…

Words 1314 - Pages 6

Questions On Ethics

moral duty is to avoid violating the right of others. 15. Give and briefly explain the six types of human rights. Explain the differences between positive and negative rights. * Security rights – protect people against murder, injury, and torture. * Due process rights – protect people against arbitrary and excessively harsh punishments and require fair and public trials for those accused of crimes. * Liberty rights – protect people’s freedoms in areas such as belief, expression, association…

Words 1467 - Pages 6

Mad Science: The Minds Behind The Method

thought, had to constantly tip toe their way around any major breakthrough that they came across. If any piece of their new discoveries or thoughts contradicted the Bible in any way, whoever started the fire would immediately be extinguished through torture and public execution. Copernicus was very active within the church and had a good relationship with the church. Despite his admiration, Copernicus did not have his hypotheses that the Earth is in motion while the sun sits immovable at the center…

Words 3561 - Pages 15

Slavery In Ancient Rome

Slavery in ancient Rome was closely associated with the world view of people and division of people into free citizens, and slaves had to engage in physical labour on the fields in crafts and household of their masters. According to ancient Rome, physical labour was considered as the shameful phenomenon and free citizens should not deal with it. Slave owners and every free man believed that only war, politics and leisure activities like arts beliefs were worthy of their positions. Physical work…

Words 1543 - Pages 7

Rhetoric and Persuasion Essay example

influence the autonomous judgments and actions of others. Persuasion is a form of attempted influence in the sense that it seeks to alter the way others think, feel or act, but it differs from other forms of influence. It is not the iron hand of torture, the stick-up, or other forms of coercion. Nor, in its purest sense, is it the exchange of money or other such material inducements for actions performed by the persons being influenced. Not is it pressure to confirm to the group or to the authority…

Words 2718 - Pages 11

Tragedy In King Oedipus And The Help By Sophocles And Stockett

It is shown through the suffering of the protagonist as they endure misfortune, which ultimately brings forth feelings of Catharsis on the part of the audience. This proves that both literary pieces possess elements of a tragedy as defined by Aristotle’s Poetics. Although the fiction pieces King Oedipus and The Help occur at a different time in history and are written by different authors, both protagonists possess multiple characteristics of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle…

Words 4009 - Pages 17

The Meaning Of Life

perspectives 5.1 Psychological significance and value in life 5.2 Origin and nature of biological life 5.3 Origins and ultimate fate of the universe 5.4 Scientific questions about the mind 5.5 Physical health 6 In popular culture 7 Popular views 7.1 To realize one's potential and ideals 7.2 To achieve biological perfection 7.3 To seek wisdom and knowledge 7.4 To do good, to do the right thing 7.5 Meanings relating to religion 7.6 To love, to feel, to enjoy the act of living 7.7 To have…

Words 3304 - Pages 14

Philosophy 241 Lecture Note Essay

Friedrich Nietzsche, essays 1 and 2 of his Genealogy of Morals. Kinds of philosophical ethics: 1. Practical ethics (the emphasis in Philosophy 341: Contemporary Moral Issues):focus on contemporary moral issues, such as abortion, the death penalty, torture, poverty, etc. 341 has a higher number than 241 only because it was created later. 241 is more theoretical. In this course (241), we use particular moral issues (such as punishment) to test moral theories and to compare and contrast them with each…

Words 7807 - Pages 32

Questions On The Renaissance

This rebirth began in northern Italy and spread throughout Europe between the 1300’s and mid-1600’s • During this time, people began to focus on refinement, personal achievement and learning • Humanism and individualism were the main views held during the Renaissance Modern Thinking from Renaissance 1. Individual worth (believed humans could improve themselves through study and reflection) 2. A strong commitment to public service (believed that the wealthy should…

Words 5582 - Pages 23

Iwc1 Literature, Arts and Humanities Essay

IWC1 Test 1.02 Module Pre-Test Question 1: Multiple Choice The historical revival of Classical culture began during the: a) Middle Ages b) Renaissance c) Baroque Era d) Romantic Era Feedback: The correct answer is b. The historical revival of Classical culture began during the Renaissance. Question 2: Multiple Choice Which of the following was a key feature of ancient Chinese humanism? a) An emphasis on theoretical philosophy. b) A subordination of intellectual life to religious…

Words 10011 - Pages 41