Moral dilemma Number 1 The Mad Bomber?!


Question: A madman who has threatened to explode several bombs in crowded areas has been apprehended. Unfortunately, he has already planted the bombs and they are scheduled to go off in a short time. It is possible that hundreds of people may die. The authorities cannot make him divulge the location of the bombs by conventional methods. He refuses to say anything and requests a lawyer to protect his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination. In exasperation, some high level official suggests torture. This would be illegal, of course, but the official thinks that it is nevertheless the right thing to do in this desperate situation. Do you agree? If you do, would it also be morally justifiable to torture the mad bomber’s innocent wife if that is the only way to make him talk? Why?


Answers: A madman who has threatened to explode several bombs in crowded areas has been apprehended. Unfortunately, he has already planted the bombs and they are scheduled to go off in a short time. It is possible that hundreds of people may die. The authorities cannot make him divulge the location of the bombs by conventional methods. He refuses to say anything and requests a lawyer to protect his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination. In exasperation, some high level official suggests torture. This would be illegal, of course, but the official thinks that it is nevertheless the right thing to do in this desperate situation. Do you agree? If you do, would it also be morally justifiable to torture the mad bomber’s innocent wife if that is the only way to make him talk? Why?

Torture the bastard! But maybe not his wife...

I want to say that I would never be in a position to make this decision - and would probably turn it over to someone else if I could.

I have no idea what I would do...I would have to experience it.

You should do your own homework for this. Looking for someone else's answer is the cheap way to go and not what your teacher intended. (well if you arent a student then you should submit that to a teacher to use because that sounds like an essay question waiting to happen, lol It was written so well it sounded like it came out of a final exam in my sociology class)

But to answer your question: If I personally were involved, I'd go Jack Bauer on him and torture the answer outta him and face the consequences later, but I wouldn't torture his wife. That would make bad ratings. :)

WHOA! a LOT of IFs in your question!
IF I were in that situation I think I'd forgo his rights IF I were gauranteed we'd be able to SAVE the innocents from the bombs!
In order to save lives!

VERY good question!

Wooow way too much reading to do!

Hire a civilian to conduct the torture, then charge them with the torture after the bombs are recovered/go off. Proceed to get them the best lawyer imaginable, and give them a good load of cash for their troubles. This way, you are not breaking the law, and the person who commited the act of torture is already 'punished' (that is to say, they went to court, but either a) the lawyer saved their hides, or b) they posted bail)


Or just pull a Jack Bauer and torture them, no0t caring whether its against the law or not. (I <3 24 almost as much as llamas!)

Yeah i'd defo torture him! i wouldnt torture his wife tho unless she was involved with the bombs..although i would threaten to torture her xx



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