Thursday, October 3, 2013
Right to death
I've been thinking a lot lately about whether one has the right to end their life whenever they see fit. I figure that if one has serious obligations, such as children, then this right is probably void. Suicide or euthanasia should only be seriously considered by those who are suffering considerably. The individual has a right to their death if said death would alleviate more suffering than it causes. Thus, if an individual has a chance to communicate with loved ones about this issue, perhaps an agreement could be reached. Living only for others is no way to live.
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What if the person who wants to die has children, but abuses them? Does that person have a serious obligation to keep living, and most likely keep hurting their kids?
ReplyDeleteAnd who decides what suffering is considerable? Are we going to weigh mental anguish with physical pain?
Death is currently irrevocable. While living only for others may not be an ideal way to live, one may be able to change, and live for the sake of living. (I did. I do.)
I've heard it said that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
I would give anyone over the age of 25 the right to choose, but I'd want them to be counseled first.
I agree with Robin in that I don't see how suffering can be measured. In cases of research studies, experimenters have to make a case in front of a board of people to decide whether the benefits of the study outweigh the risks. For something so internal and so final it is impossible to accurately measure how much a person is suffering. And we also have to think about the idea that we don't know what happens after death. Who knows that death would alleviate anything? Living for others might not appear to be a good way to live, but for some it is the only way. And also who can decide how life should be and what reasons for living should be? I love this topic i could talk about it for hours!
ReplyDeleteWhen you say "Living only for others is no way to live," I'm not sure it's true. Some recent research into happiness suggests that the people who find their lives most meaningful and fulfilling are precisely those who are directly concerned for and with others. Of course, none of those people live "only" for others in any literal sense, but relationships with others are at the core of their identities. Apparently the most miserable people are those who can't see why anyone else matters.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of caring about others, PLEASE TURN OFF WORD VERIFICATION IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
I believe that from a purely moral standpoint, taking ones own life is a selfish decision most of the time. ALhough it is funny you mentioned this topic this week, because in another Philosophy class this semester, we have been discussing Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy and he touches on the issue of suicide. He claims that all rational beings have a duty not to commit suicide. His reasoning was essentially because if everyone chose to kill themselves, nobody would exist. Just more to think about!
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