Abstract

Against the background of the recent debate on torture, this essay focuses on the definition of torture, showing it to be relevant to the argumentative strategy of "redefining" "torture" in light of the "war against terrorism". A systematic interpretation of torture considers it as the practical expression of the "intention of harming". This paper highlights the different critical aspects of this point of view in the analysis of torture, paying attention in particular to the nature of this cruelty called the act of torture.