Define Torture.

Can anyone define torture, it is not protected in our consitution by the amendment" cruel or harsh punishment".

 

Torture in my book is anything unpleasant for the victim that goes on for prolonged periods of time.

 

Hearing my girlfriend complain about her problems to me through Skype
On a serious note:
Imagine's definition would be the way I see torture being defined

 

So a parent grounding their children from watching TV for 2 weeks would be torturing their kids?

I'm certain the kids would find it unpleasant, and I'm sure 2 weeks constitutes as a prolonged period of time.

 

The actual wording of the Bill of Rights (1791) is as follows:

When discussing the ratification of the Constitution, Patrick Henry wrote:

This pretty clearly condemns torture as unconstitutional. As for the definition of torture, the one offered by the U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984) is satisfactory:

 

Torture is when someone experiences something that they find extremely displeasing, so yes if the kids find it extremely displeasing and causes them discomfort or pain (mental or emotional), it is torture.

 

That may be an accepted definition in general terms, but not in constitutional terms.

 

I think that it's a personal opinion.. kind of? The expression "torturous" has kind of become generalized over the years.

 

Well really there can't be constitutional definitions of torture because its all personally based.

If someone likes being excessively taxed or given cruel or unusual punishment, do they not apply to the laws? Because then it wouldn't be torture.

 

Well, Jimmy stated one above:

If someone takes pleasure in those aforementioned activities they would be masochists. If someone for some random unexplainable reason took pleasure and gained no pain from having boiling water poured on there back, then inflicting such a 'punishment' on them would not be torture. Quite frankly, no one would be stupid enough to continue such a 'punishment' if someone took pleasure from that. I digress, just because 0.0001% of the population are immensely different, does not mean you cannot solidify a definition.

With regards to the constitution, it's supposed to prohibit certain activities, in this case torture. Falling off a building and breaking your leg is torture that satisfies your definition of torture. Someone is clearly in immense physical pain. It's completely correct for them to say, "Fuck, this is torture". However, the constitution would not recognize this as 'torture' so to speak as it's being used in a completely different context. There are a few key points interpolated from a more constitutional definition which focuses more on the act (verb) as opposed to the description (adjective).

1: Extreme pain, both mentally or physically with the intention to do so.
2: Extracting information.
3: Intimidation and or coercion.

There are more, but those are the three main ones discounting the need for public officials.

Also, the only thing that changes from person to person is the perception of pain. The act/stimulus/sensation never ever changes, merely the perception of it. However, back to my original point, you do not, not declare something because 0.00001% of the population don't abide by it.

 

Every culture has their own general definition of torture.
In other words, torture does not have one single definition.

What may be considered torture in one culture may not be in another.

ex) tickling.

 

For me, it's anything that I am forced to undergo for extended periods of time. I'm not saying like, you're forced to do a job or something. It's something that i can't change no matter what I do.

 

Torture- The action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or in order to force them to do or say something.


This a general definition of torture. Grounding your child from watching TV is not torture. It is a form of punishment and if your child seriously suffers emotional pain from the lack of TV you have a larger problem on your hands.

A great example of torture would be the SAW movies or Hostile movies. These are forms of physical torture. Mental torture could be holding someone for months to years in a jail cell for no reason, not saying criminals are being tortured; they were convicted of a crime. I mean as if someone was kidnapped.
Other forms of mental torture would include long periods of solitary confinement or telling someone they are going to die etc.
Then there is also emotional torture as if threatening to kill someones loved and etc.

 

The video recordings in the movie "Seed" is the epitome of torture. My god that shit left a toll on my brain..

Also, how the fuck is "cruel and usual punishment" NOT torture? That's basically the definition of torture..

 

Why is everyone still arguing? This post answers the thread.

 

Causing pain to a living thing with the goal of extracting useful information or sick pleasure. The victim does not give consent.