Do we have a moral obligation to live for as long as possible?

Post by oleander73 » Sat, May 01, 2021, 2:07 PM UTC

louwrentius wrote: post #27

oleander73 wrote: post #17

As someone for whom this is a real life practical issue, not some idle philosophizing, even asking the question is repugnant to me. I have incurable cancer and at some point I will decide "enough is enough" and I'd like to be euthanized by a doctor. The doctor will then have to decide if my suffering is sufficiently unbearable and only if he comes to that conclusion is he allowed to do it. He'll have to justify his j…

At least we in NL have access to Euthanasia. Frankly I would like to see Futurama style suicide boots. OK, the latter may seem extreme, but why do we have all the liberty in the world to create life, including a lot of suffering, but not to end our own? In America, Euthanasia doesn’t seem like an option, but access to guns solves that option in practice. Terrible, but the hard reality. In the end, It is about quality…

Post by Deinos » Sat, May 01, 2021, 2:09 PM UTC

louwrentius wrote: post #27

oleander73 wrote: post #17

As someone for whom this is a real life practical issue, not some idle philosophizing, even asking the question is repugnant to me. I have incurable cancer and at some point I will decide "enough is enough" and I'd like to be euthanized by a doctor. The doctor will then have to decide if my suffering is sufficiently unbearable and only if he comes to that conclusion is he allowed to do it. He'll have to justify his j…

At least we in NL have access to Euthanasia. Frankly I would like to see Futurama style suicide boots. OK, the latter may seem extreme, but why do we have all the liberty in the world to create life, including a lot of suffering, but not to end our own? In America, Euthanasia doesn’t seem like an option, but access to guns solves that option in practice. Terrible, but the hard reality. In the end, It is about quality…

Post by refurb » Sat, May 01, 2021, 2:11 PM UTC

usrusr wrote: post #33

tartoran wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But euthanasia should not be allowed on a whim. For terminal diseases or other suffering it is more than warranted, but for folks who are going through a depressive episode and want to end their life, they may take a rash decision that they’d regret later. For you, I hope you’re not going to go through too much suffering and will be able to enjoy some quality moments before you leave us.

> they may take a rash decision that they’d regret later Sorry to be that guy, but: "how?" Our inacceptance of suicide and related concepts is entirely based what it does to others

Post by lebuffon » Sat, May 01, 2021, 2:19 PM UTC

Spooky23 wrote: post #21

tryptophan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>How do you justify that especially if one can't contribute much to society anymore and maybe didn't raise kids on your own? Interesting point. I do think it is kind of insane that like 70% of our government money goes to old people. Investing in the past instead of the future? Meanwhile everything else is getting cut, because SS and medicare are "mandatory" spending. The reality is that these old folks did not pay h…

That’s a pretty gross and ignorant perspective. Try reading a little less Paul Ryan. Apropos to Medicare, I live a block away the president of a local hospital and healthcare network. I remember just before COVID, he drove by in his Porsche and waved, on his way to go on TV to complain about reimbursements from Medicare falling (because the quality of care in the the hospital sucks) and that state government was “kil…

Post by oleander73 » Sat, May 01, 2021, 2:23 PM UTC

refurb wrote: post #37

Deinos wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The irony being... isn't euthanasia the ultimate freedom? If it is our body, and we have full autonomy as long as we aren't causing direct harm, the "American Way" should be to allow the freedom of choice as to what happens to said body.

And you are free to commit suicide in the US. From what i understand most laws making suicide and attempted suicide are no longer enforced or were changed. What’s we don’t do is make it easy for someone else to assist in your death . That opens up an entirely different can of worms and anyone who thinks that’s an easy change to make is delusional. It’s fraught with issues and one needs to tread carefully.