Suicide

There is, no doubt, a certain inherent value in life that should not be taken lightly, but, should one impose his / her assumed value of life on another who doesn’t see life in the same light? No, this cannot be turned around and be used as justification for, say, murder, as the murderer imposes on the murdered (I’m certain, sooner or later, someone would say that).

If someone wishes to die, should we let them kill themselves? (Let us take this question outside of the formal definition of ‘euthanasia’ and apply it to all suicides, whether it be out of depression or terminal illness.) There are, no doubt, moral issues revolving around this, especially that of religious birthing: Someone who commits suicide is instantly destined to an eternity in hell. – I don’t doubt that the generally negative tone of suicide permeated into even the most non-religious of institutions, though, is it right?

Take this situation: A sixty year old man has been, for over a year, bound to a hospital bed. He is in pain, constantly, and only the machines hooked up to his various body parts are keeping him alive. The doctors have no way of alleviating him of his disease, and no way of relieving him of much pain. He has expressed, several times, his wants to die, and be done with it all. Should this man be allowed to die?

Perhaps this one: A twenty year old man has grown horrendously tired of life. He finds that his every waking moment is either filled with a monotonous feeling of boredom, or a sickening depression. He doesn’t find very much point to life, in general, and can’t seem to extract the slightest bit of joy from things others would find utter happiness in. He, very much, wants to commit suicide, and be done with it all. Should this man be allowed to die?

I assume more people answer “Yes.” to the former situation, but “No.” to the latter. – Why?

Does it seem reasonable to impose our own views of the value of life on other people? Should someone’s death be decided by our own consciousness, our own reasoning on whether or not their death is worth it, or necessary? – Obviously, the man in the second situation puts far less value in life than we do.

Let’s assume there were no burdens on anyone, no cleanups, no tax-funded government workers, etc. – Ask yourself this question, and ponder on it’s answer, think further than what morals have been hammered into your mind.

Should someone be able to die if they truly wish to die?