17. The torture option

The moral dilemma gets tougher. Yes, torture is wrong. But since 9/11, everyone's been up at arms with terrorists. The kneejerk is 'Damn them all. They want to blow us up? We'll screw them once we nab them'. So we're all suddenly cool with being thrust back to the Dark Ages. Not good. TV and media isn't helping either - how many people 'die' violently on your TV each week? Scary eh, especially with the kids watching. The value of life has plummeted a great deal.

Let's try to keep Hadi's predicament simple, or perhaps logically robotic.
1. Brad is the bad guy (one life). He planted the bomb that will kill many people (many innocent lives). If many people die, two to three times more will be adversely affected.
2. Does Brad have a motive? Does Brad have demands? If his demands were met, would he tell Hadi where the bomb was? If yes, good. (If not, we're screwed)
3. If Brad just wants to blow people up or isn't willing to tell Hadi where the bomb is, is it ok to hurt Brad to get the location of the bomb? Will Brad give in? Hadi suspects that it won't work.
4. By torturing Brad's son Wesley (another innocent life), Hadi thinks Brad will give in. Family ties over zealot's motivations.
5. So to save many innocent lives, one innocent life may be sacrificed, and perhaps another incarcerated later. To the government, it's a fair trade. The smaller sacrifice for the greater good. It's harsh, in fact down right cruel, but it'll also be cruel when thousands die from Brad's bomb.

The reasons behind terrorism are many. Most of them stem from the unequal distribution of wealth and fairness, deaf ears and misplaced faith. We all just need to show to concern to the less fortunate, listen the voice of humanity within us and just be compassionate. Else the definition of 'humane' just might need to change.