"Torture is an impermissible evil. Except under two circumstances. The first is the ticking time bomb. An innocent's life is at stake. The bad guy you have captured possesses information that could save this life. He refuses to divulge. In such a case, the choice is easy"

In this quote, Charles Krauthammer addresses the complicated ethical argument surrounding making use of abuse, particularly in extreme circumstances. Krauthammer begins by acknowledging torture as an "impermissible evil", suggesting a broad moral and ethical agreement that abuse is basically wrong. Nevertheless, he presents a nuanced caution by acknowledging 2 possible exceptions, concentrating on the notorious "ticking time bomb" scenario.

The "ticking time bomb" situation is a hypothetical circumstance typically used in ethical conversations about abuse. It posits a scenario where an innocent individual's life remains in instant danger, and a suspect who has crucial information that could prevent the upcoming damage refuses to comply. Krauthammer argues that in such a case, the ethical landscape shifts. The phrase, "The choice is easy", indicates that the moral imperative to save an innocent life can, in his view, surpass the ethical prohibition versus torture.

Krauthammer's statement reflects an utilitarian perspective, where the morality of an action is evaluated based on its outcomes. Torture, in this line of reasoning, could be justified if it leads to a greater excellent, such as saving lives. This argument hinges on the certainty of the circumstance: the imminence of the hazard, the guilt of the suspect, and the dependability of the intelligence. Critics, nevertheless, argue that such certainty is hardly ever attainable in real-life circumstances, making the useful application of this exception deeply problematic. They also highlight the capacity for abuse and the disintegration of ethical and legal standards if abuse were to be allowed even under limited scenarios.

In essence, Krauthammer's quote welcomes a critical assessment of the moral, ethical, and useful implications of abuse in severe circumstances, challenging us to consider where we fix a limit in between maintaining human rights and securing human lives.