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74 (2026)
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Citations
237
Publications
481
H-index
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I10-index
2
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Journal citation chart. Exact values are available in the table below. 2017: 4 2018: 13 2019: 12 2020: 17 2021: 27 2022: 31 2023: 31 2024: 33 2025: 36 2026: 19 2017 2026
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20212127
20222631
20232531
20242633
20252536
20262019

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The Shattering of Subjectivity. Reflections on Torture and Human Suffering

DOI: 10.18276/aie.2026.74-03
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ISSN:1734-9923
eISSN:2300-7621
Authors: Adriana Mickiewicz ORCID
Wydział Humanistyczny Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie
Keywords: violence torture phenomenology subjectivity body suffering
Issue / book publication date:2026
Page range:23 (51-73)
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Abstract

In this article, I undertake an analysis of torture from a phenomenological perspective. In the first part of the paper, I analyze the UN definition of torture. Against this background, I show that the legal understanding of torture relies on vague and undefined concepts of severe pain and suffering. This leads me to a phenomenological investigation into the question: What does the suffering of a tortured person consist of? In the second part, I discuss the shattering of subjectivity as the main source of the victim’s pain. In conclusion, I aim to strengthen the argument against the use of torture.

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