Sources Note That The Effect Of The Torture Of Algerians By French Was A

Sources note that the effect of the torture of Algerians by French was a retaliation whereby Algerians took part in 'killing and raping collaborators, rivals and settlers' (Joly, 1991, p36). So, in actual effect the torture that Aussaresses describes as the catalyst for saving lives, actually served to result in more life loss. Therefore, regardless of the beliefs of the author or reader regarding the Theory of Utilitarianism, in this instance the act of torture was not justifiable on the grounds that it bought about the largest possible balance of good over evil for everyone involved.
Aussaresses is also quoted as saying the men I executed were always men guilty of blood crimes. They had blood on their hands. I would do it again today if it were against Bin Laden (BBC News, 2001). Aussaresses seems to be utilising the concept of proportionality from Acquinas' Just War Theory to justify the acts of torture and killing here. He believes his acts were justified as they were in proportion to those perpetrated by the Algerians involved. However, it is the author's opinion that the concept of proportionality has no place in ethical thinking. The old adage 'two wrongs do not make a right' is very topical here. Indeed, may proverbs lead and guide ethical thinking.Torture cannot be justified because other crimes have been committed by those tortured. It can be questioned, what right did Aussaresses and his contemporaries have to dish out this punishment? If people had committed crimes they should have been tried in a court and justice meted out in that manner.
French people were led to believe that France was 'crusading for the defence of Western values against the barbarians of the East' (Hoffman, 1963, p.85). It is clear, then that ideology was used as a justification to the public of the acts of torture that occurred. However, the author subscribes to the theory that this justification is flawed due to 'geographical morality' as discussed earlier. I believe this justification was simply used to ensure the public accepted the practise of torture.
Case Study: Torture in the Iraq War (2003 onwards)
There has been some conflict in Iraq for the past couple of decades. For the purposes of this paper the latest Iraq War, commencing 2003 and still continuing will be considered.
This war is a useful case study as it demonstrates, in these more recent times, when torture is seen to be less and less acceptable, how it both still occurs and is justified in different terms to previously.
There is much discourse as to whether or not the Iraq War itself is justified, so the use of torture as part of it questioned considerably. Using Aquinas' Just War Theory, the Iraq War is unjust and therefore any torture taking place as part of it is also so. The War is not believed, by the author to be just as it does not Aquinas' third condition, that those waging the war are dong it simply to triumph good over evil.