[It is anomalous] to hold that in order to convict a man the police cannot extract by force what is in his mind, but can extract what is in his stomach.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- It is inconsistent to forbid police from forcing thoughts out of a person's mind while allowing them to force substances out of their stomach.
- In plain terms
- It is strange to protect the mind from force but not the body.
- What can you take from it?
- Physical force to get evidence is logically inconsistent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why is physical coercion different from mental coercion?
- Where should the line be drawn?
Another view
Practical needs might sometimes require physical procedures like stomach pumping.
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