Ethics Problem #2: Terrorism from a Leadership Position
With only one answer to the previous ethics problem, I waited a little to post the next one. Same rules apply as before.
You are the democratically elected leader of a democratic, liberal, secular Western European nation. Your national police force has just captured a terrorist ring that planned to blow up Parliament, your residence, all the major government buildings. If they had succeeded, your country would effectively have no government. However, this group is linked to several sleeper cells planted around the city. If word leaks of their capture, or if the deadline of blowing up the buildings passes with no action, these sleeper cells will act, strategically sending out suicide bombers so that thousands of people will die. You have no other information on these cells, and no way to learn anything about them. However, your experts assure you that with 48 hours of "special interrogation techniques", your prisoners will crack and reveal what you need to know about the cells.
In a recent poll, 90% of your population has stated that they would not condone torture under any circumstances. Remember, you are their elected leader. What do you do?
Please tune in next time for "Return to the Nazis".
Edit: I forgot to mention earlier, but there is no risk that the populace will find out about your actions.
You are the democratically elected leader of a democratic, liberal, secular Western European nation. Your national police force has just captured a terrorist ring that planned to blow up Parliament, your residence, all the major government buildings. If they had succeeded, your country would effectively have no government. However, this group is linked to several sleeper cells planted around the city. If word leaks of their capture, or if the deadline of blowing up the buildings passes with no action, these sleeper cells will act, strategically sending out suicide bombers so that thousands of people will die. You have no other information on these cells, and no way to learn anything about them. However, your experts assure you that with 48 hours of "special interrogation techniques", your prisoners will crack and reveal what you need to know about the cells.
In a recent poll, 90% of your population has stated that they would not condone torture under any circumstances. Remember, you are their elected leader. What do you do?
Please tune in next time for "Return to the Nazis".
Edit: I forgot to mention earlier, but there is no risk that the populace will find out about your actions.