I’m writing a follow-up to my recent column “The Logic of Torture” (see here and here). This one will be entitled “The Morality of Torture.” (There may eventually be a third column, entitled “The Law of Torture.”) Will someone please make a chart for me? I honestly don’t know how to do it. I don’t even know which software to use.

Let me describe the chart. It’s a two-by-two box diagram, so you should think of a big rectangle (it can be a square) cut up into nine rectangles (squares). For the sake of reference, let me number the boxes, starting from the top left and reading across (the way one reads a book, or this post). Box 1 has the word “Rules” in it. I prefer that there be no lines above or to the left of it, so that one who looks at the chart realizes immediately that it’s a breakdown of rules. Box 2 has the word “Exceptions” in it. Box 3 has the words “No Exceptions” in it. Box 4 (middle row, first column) has the words “Grounded in Utility” in it. Box 5 has the words “Act-Utilitarianism (AU)” in it. Box 6 has the words “Rule-Utilitarianism (RU)” in it. Box 7 (bottom row, first column) has the words “Not Grounded in Utility” in it. Box 8 has the words “Moderate Deontology (MD)” in it. Box 9 has the words “Absolutist Deontology (AD)” in it. (In my first column, I used the name “absolute deontology,” but I now prefer “absolutist deontology.”)

It may help if I explain the chart. All four normative ethical theorists (AU, RU, MD, and AD) endorse rules (such as a rule that prohibits torture). The rules of an act-utilitarian are grounded in utility and have exceptions. The rules of a rule-utilitarian are grounded in utility and have no exceptions. The rules of a moderate deontologist are not grounded in utility and have exceptions. The rules of an absolutist deontologist are not grounded in utility and have no exceptions. If I receive more than one chart, I will use the best one, so do a good job! As soon as I receive an acceptable chart, I will post an addendum so that others don’t waste their time. I’m going to submit my column to TCS Daily. While the chart itself may not appear in the column, there will be a link to it. (I will upload it to my webspace.) You may want to “sign” your chart, so that everyone knows it’s your handiwork. Who knows? Maybe the Wall Street Journal will pick up this column as well, in which case you could become famous!

Addendum: Adam Handwork, who made a chart for me many months ago (was it on free will and determinism?), responded to my plea with this. Thanks, Adam!