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[[File:Kirk Adams Chair 2266.jpg|thumb|Captain Kirk is tortured by Tristan Adams]]
  
[[File:Kirk Adams Chair 2266.jpg|thumb|Captain Kirk is tortured by Tristan Adams]]
 
[[File:Picard tortured.jpg|thumb|Captain Picard tortured in 2369]]
  
[[File:Picard tortured.jpg|thumb|Captain Picard tortured in 2369]]
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'''Torture''' is the practice of inflicting extreme pain on a captive subject.
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'''Torture''' was the practice of inflicting extreme pain on a captive subject.
   
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While the pain inflicted during torture is often physical in nature, it can also possess an [[emotion]]al or mental character.
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While the pain inflicted during torture was often physical in nature, it could also possess an [[emotion]]al or mental character.
   
 
== Purposes ==
  
== Purposes ==
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Torture (or the threat of torture) can be intended to:
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Torture (or the threat of torture) could be intended to:
   
 
*Serve as a disincentive to the subject against withholding information from the torturer
  
*Serve as a disincentive to the subject against withholding information from the torturer
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*Force the subject into an altered state of mind in which they are more likely to confess misdeeds or swear on lies, as a consequence of the autonomic elevation of [[neurotransmitter]] levels
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*Force the subject into an altered state of mind in which they were more likely to confess misdeeds or swear on lies, as a consequence of the autonomic elevation of [[neurotransmitter]] levels
 
*Intimidate the subject
  
*Intimidate the subject
 
*Induce someone responsible for the safety of the subject to provide information desired by the torturer
  
*Induce someone responsible for the safety of the subject to provide information desired by the torturer
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*Test the reactions or limits of the subject
  
*Test the reactions or limits of the subject
   
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Torture can be directed not only to the subject tortured, but to persons forced to watch or whom the cruelty of the act is told for any purpose described above, as well as in order to force sacrifice.
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Torture could be directed not only to the subject tortured, but to persons forced to watch or whom the cruelty of the act is told for any purpose described above, as well as in order to force sacrifice.
   
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As implied above, torture is considered by some to be useful during [[interrogation]]s. However, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] asserted to [[Gul]] [[Madred]] that "''torture has never been a reliable means of extracting information. It is ultimately self-defeating as a means of control. One wonders it is still practiced.''" ({{TNG|Chain of Command, Part II}})
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As implied above, torture was considered by some to be useful during [[interrogation]]s. However, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] asserted to [[Gul]] [[Madred]] that "''torture has never been a reliable means of extracting information. It is ultimately self-defeating as a means of control. One wonders it is still practiced.''" ({{TNG|Chain of Command, Part II}})
   
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Acts of torture were in theory banned by the [[Seldonis IV Convention]], however [[government]]s who were signatories to the treaty would often attempt to find ways around this restriction. The [[Cardassian]]s were one such example, who justified their torture of Jean-Luc Picard in [[2369]] by claiming the treaty only applied to those acting on behalf of a treaty signatory, which Picard would not admit to doing. ({{TNG|Chain of Command, Part II}})
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Acts of torture were in theory banned by the [[Seldonis IV Convention]], however [[government]]s who were signatories to the treaty would often attempt to find ways around this restriction. The [[Cardassian]]s were one such example, justifying their torture of Jean-Luc Picard in [[2369]] by claiming the treaty only applied to those acting on behalf of a treaty signatory, which Picard would not admit to doing. ({{TNG|Chain of Command, Part II}})
   
 
== Incidence ==
  
== Incidence ==
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Races known to sanction the use of torture include:
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Races known to sanction the use of torture included:
   
 
*[[Human]]s
  
*[[Human]]s
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*Anarchists of [[Tilonus IV]]
  
*Anarchists of [[Tilonus IV]]
   
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Torture is common in the [[mirror universe]]. In [[2371]], [[Elim Garak (mirror)|Elim Garak]] would torture [[Terran (mirror)|Terran]] slaves in an attempt to increase the amount of ore that they processed in [[Terok Nor (mirror)|Terok Nor]]<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[ore processing center]]. Doing so, along with [[bribery|bribes]] and [[death penalty|executing]] unproductive slaves, failed to increase production enough to meet quotas set by the [[Klingon-Cardassian Alliance]]. [[Intendant]] [[Kira Nerys (mirror)|Kira Nerys]] suggested randomly executing workers instead. ({{DS9|Through the Looking Glass}})
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Torture was common in the [[mirror universe]]. In [[2371]], {{mu|Elim Garak}} would torture {{mu|Terran}} slaves in an attempt to increase the amount of ore that they processed in {{mu|Terok Nor}}'s [[ore processing center]]. Doing so, along with [[bribery|bribes]] and [[death penalty|executing]] unproductive slaves, failed to increase production enough to meet quotas set by the [[Klingon-Cardassian Alliance]]. [[Intendant]] {{mu|Kira Nerys}} suggested randomly executing workers instead. ({{DS9|Through the Looking Glass}})
   
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Torture was also a common practice in [[Earth]]'s authoritarian and anarchic nation states, prior to the founding of the [[United Earth]] government. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}})
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Torture was also a common practice in [[Earth]]'s authoritarian and anarchic nation states prior to the founding of the [[United Earth]] government. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}})
   
 
== Appearances ==
  
== Appearances ==

Revision as of 23:45, 4 April 2016

AT: "xx"

Archer torture

Captain Archer is tortured by Dolim

File:Kirk Adams Chair 2266.jpg

Captain Kirk is tortured by Tristan Adams

Picard tortured

Captain Picard tortured in 2369

Torture was the practice of inflicting extreme pain on a captive subject.

While the pain inflicted during torture was often physical in nature, it could also possess an emotional or mental character.

Purposes

Torture (or the threat of torture) could be intended to:

  • Serve as a disincentive to the subject against withholding information from the torturer
  • Force the subject into an altered state of mind in which they were more likely to confess misdeeds or swear on lies, as a consequence of the autonomic elevation of neurotransmitter levels
  • Intimidate the subject
  • Induce someone responsible for the safety of the subject to provide information desired by the torturer
  • Punish the subject for disobedience or unsuccessful escape from captivity
  • Condition the subject to accept the torturer's authority without question
  • Please the torturer, for example, sadism
  • Test the reactions or limits of the subject

Torture could be directed not only to the subject tortured, but to persons forced to watch or whom the cruelty of the act is told for any purpose described above, as well as in order to force sacrifice.

As implied above, torture was considered by some to be useful during interrogations. However, Captain Jean-Luc Picard asserted to Gul Madred that "torture has never been a reliable means of extracting information. It is ultimately self-defeating as a means of control. One wonders it is still practiced." (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part II")

Acts of torture were in theory banned by the Seldonis IV Convention, however governments who were signatories to the treaty would often attempt to find ways around this restriction. The Cardassians were one such example, justifying their torture of Jean-Luc Picard in 2369 by claiming the treaty only applied to those acting on behalf of a treaty signatory, which Picard would not admit to doing. (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part II")

Incidence

Races known to sanction the use of torture included:

Torture was common in the mirror universe. In 2371, Elim Garak would torture Terran slaves in an attempt to increase the amount of ore that they processed in Terok Nor's ore processing center. Doing so, along with bribes and executing unproductive slaves, failed to increase production enough to meet quotas set by the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Intendant Kira Nerys suggested randomly executing workers instead. (DS9: "Through the Looking Glass")

Torture was also a common practice in Earth's authoritarian and anarchic nation states prior to the founding of the United Earth government. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

Appearances

References

External link

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