Introduction

This Introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the empirical evidence in order to provide an empirically-based argument against the legalisation of interrogational torture. This consequentialist argument, explains the way in which the ticking bomb hypothetical is used to bolster the case for legalised interrogational torture. It is also noted that the logic of the consequentialist argument put forward by proponents of legalisation means that interrogational torture would be unlikely to be limited to rare cases. The chapter also challenges those who have endeavoured to have engaged in personal vilification in response to dissenting opinions and points out that the proponents of legalised torture simply fail to engage with the empirical literature in this regard. Efforts to manipulate or restrict the meaning of torture are viewed by the author as unacceptable but discussion of this issue does not fall within the remit of this book.