Rethinking torture: A Foucauldian critique on justification of interrogational torture

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18012/arf.v7iesp.55292

Keywords:

Interrogational torture, Justification, Biopolitcs

Abstract

Many jurists and politicians insist on justifying the use of torture. In this paper I will analyze the results of the detention and interrogation program of CIA, set up in 2002 to investigate and prevent future terrorist attacks. I will demonstrate, using Foucault's methodology for the analysis of power, that the use of large-scale torture, regardless of any justification, serves the purpose of imposing control over unsubmissive populations in complex political scenarios. My conclusions indicate the need to change the way we study the torture to, from a better understanding of the phenomenon, make decisions more efficient on how to fight it.

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Author Biography

Rodolfo Jacarandá, Universidade Federal de Rondônia

Associate Professor at the Philosophy Department of the Federal University of Rondônia. Coordinator of the Master of Human Rights and Justice Development - PPG / DHJUS and Professor of the academic Master in Philosophy at the Federal University of Rondônia. Leader of the Research Group on Ethics and Human Rights - CNPq / UNIR.

 

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Additional Files

Published

2020-12-14

How to Cite

Jacarandá, R. (2020). Rethinking torture: A Foucauldian critique on justification of interrogational torture. Aufklärung, 7(esp), p.51–64. https://doi.org/10.18012/arf.v7iesp.55292

Issue

Vol. 7 No. esp (2020): Justificação Ética Entre Teoria e Prática

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