The 'ticking time bomb' scenario demonstrates that it is possible for torture to be morally permissible. In the scenario, a person with knowledge of an imminent terrorist attack that will kill many people is in the hands of the authorities, and will disclose the information needed to prevent the attack only if she is tortured. The consequences of not torturing her – many people dying – are far worse that the consequences of torturing her – one person being tortured – so in this situation torture would be morally permissible.