The biggest decision

bluefig · Jan 21, 2013

myp said:
Your question is irrelevant in my opinion

Well, okay then, one's ownership of one's self is of no importance to you.

This type of personal tyranny is a major problem in the world today. Everyone is so concerned with lording over others, by the use of state force.

You would have what should be a personal choice, continue to be either illegal or turned over to a panels of doctors (Frankensteins in this case) who would hold the power of life and death of an individual in their hands, without even bothering to make a case as to WHY they have an interest or a right to be involved in this persons decision in the first place!

I say, society has zero role to play in an individuals decision to live or to die. To say otherwise is to cede one's person to the state.

myp · Jan 21, 2013

bluefig said:
Well, okay then, one's ownership of one's self is of no importance to you.

Never said that. Maybe you should read my posts again...

And you still neglect the point that the person HIMSELF might not actually want to commit suicide in a normal state. In other words, the person who owns himself might think he wants to commit suicide when he really doesn't. And as we all know this isn't something that can just be taken back after the fact.

Also, a person committing suicide may well be placing a cost on society so even by the harm principle, there is a case against it.

tecoyah · Jan 21, 2013

In my opinion, just as we all have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...so do we have the right to death, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Which should be as much a freedom as any.

myp · Jan 21, 2013

bluefig said:
Well, okay then, one's ownership of one's self is of no importance to you.

This type of personal tyranny is a major problem in the world today. Everyone is so concerned with lording over others, by the use of state force.

You would have what should be a personal choice, continue to be either illegal or turned over to a panels of doctors (Frankensteins in this case) who would hold the power of life and death of an individual in their hands, without even bothering to make a case as to WHY they have an interest or a right to be involved in this persons decision in the first place!

I say, society has zero role to play in an individuals decision to live or to die. To say otherwise is to cede one's person to the state.

Let me put it this way. Say person X is a very happy person and has never had a suicidal thought in their life. Tomorrow, they decide to go to the doctor because their allergies have been really bad. They get prescribed something and take it and as a result of the medication start having suicidal thoughts. Should society try to help the fellow, maybe by taking him off the med, or should we welcome him into Dr. Kevorkian's lab? This is the issue at hand. It isn't as simple as you make it out to be.

Cerise · Jan 22, 2013

myp said:
Let me put it this way. Say person X is a very happy person and has never had a suicidal thought in their life. Tomorrow, they decide to go to the doctor because their allergies have been really bad. They get prescribed something and take it and as a result of the medication start having suicidal thoughts. Should society try to help the fellow, maybe by taking him off the med, or should we welcome him into Dr. Kevorkian's lab? This is the issue at hand. It isn't as simple as you make it out to be.

What about me discovering that I have a terminal illness.
As the illness progresses I will need -and will be given- increasing doses of painkillers.
I will eventually become bedridden and entirely dependent on others to help me with the most basic of needs.
I will not be able to enjoy anything that I presently take for granted not to mention the things that are especially enjoyable to me.
Please tell me...in whose interest is it that I am kept alive for as long as possible? Do you really think it is in mine?

myp · Jan 22, 2013

Cerise said:
What about me discovering that I have a terminal illness.
As the illness progresses I will need -and will be given- increasing doses of painkillers.
I will eventually become bedridden and entirely dependent on others to help me with the most basic of needs.
I will not be able to enjoy anything that I presently take for granted not to mention the things that are especially enjoyable to me.
Please tell me...in whose interest is it that I am kept alive for as long as possible? Do you really think it is in mine?

Like I said, I don't know where I stand on this issue and do understand the case for legalizing it, BUT under the condition that there is some sort of professional evaluation or panel that deems it appropriate first. And I already gave examples as to why.

If everyone who wanted to commit suicide at some point in their lives would have had easy, quick access to do so, we would have lost a lot of great people, including people who later went on to live very happy lives.

The biggest decision

bluefig

myp

tecoyah

myp

Cerise

myp

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