"Right" to Die?

[Tecumseh]

Is there such a thing?

Couple of questions:

1)Should a person have the right to die if they so wish? Suicide/Euthanasia?
2)In a situation where a person was unable to communicate what their will was, but they were perceived to be suffering immensely, would it be right to end their life?(Terry Shiavo case in mind)

Does anyone have the "right" to die, other than the elderly or diseased?

[Falconius]

I would have to say no. You're alive, you don’t get a choice, it's as simple as that. At the same time there is no need to extend your life through artificial means. I have a friend who likes this saying of her mothers, “You don’t die until you’ve suffered enough.” (Catholic background of course )

Of course this question also raises the issue, "Does anyone have the right to kill?" And its various caveats

[Gaidin]

I would have to say no. You're alive, you don’t get a choice, it's as simple as that.

There are those that disagree with you.

[Zephrelial]

Is there such a thing?

Couple of questions:

1)Should a person have the right to die if they so wish? Suicide/Euthanasia?
2)In a situation where a person was unable to communicate what their will was, but they were perceived to be suffering immensely, would it be right to end their life?(Terry Shiavo case in mind)

Does anyone have the "right" to die, other than the elderly or diseased?

1-I think every person has the right to die if they so wish as to compensate the fact that noone was given or asked the right to be born+it's their own decision and own life so nooneelse has the right to dictate or interfere with that.
2-No that wouldn't be right to end their life,as a misunderstanding is most likely in such a case.

[S.L.I.G]

1) Of course anyone has the right to die. The fact that Euthanasia is illegal is actually sickening. It just shows our societies obsession with life. If your suffering or even if your just restless and wish some peace, its your choice if you die or not. Its your body. I mean, who is it really hurting when you die? Yes, emotionally it is hurting your family and friends- but you are not responsible for their emotional discomfort, besides, you are going to die inevitably. In virtually every case of Suicide and Euthanasia (I'm sure theres one odd ball exception...) they take that rout because they aren't truly living. So why cant you, as a friend and/or a doctor not help them move on in whatever way they wish?

2) Essentially the same thing as above. Regardless if the person expressively wished before their episode to die in such a state, or live on- they should be allowed to die. Living on in a vegetative state is degrading to themselves, and emotionally stressing to everyone around them. Not to mention they are just a burden on society, soaking up resources and time like a sponge.

[Cluny the Scourge]

Not only should people have the right to die, they should be positively encouraged to do so honourably rather than to suffer the foul indignity of death by old age (or by some lingeringly debilitating illness). This could be done by seeking ever more dangerous physical challenges until you failed and were killed, or by honourable suicide in the tradition of the Ancient World, or by asking it as the greatest favour of friendship from one you love. Society and law should both support these decisions unequivocally.

The present disgusting attitude by which people are forced by social pressure to keep on living for its own sake is shameful and engenders cowardice and degradation. Blind, empty, meaningless life is not the most important thing. Human dignity alone is what matters. Life is not sacred. Humanity is sacred. Pro-life (or rather pro-degradation) doctrines are the last diseased vestiges of pre-Enlightenment culture.

All should be educated and encouraged to show contempt for death. Anyone of any age and any physical condition has the right - and should have the duty - to make the correct decision to preserve their honour.

And of course, when they are unable to make this decision for themselves ala Schiavo and all the many cases like that one, and there is no possibility of recovery then it should be assumed that they would prefer dignity to degradation.

[Curtana]

We can't stop people committing suicide. Not much point punishing a corpse if they succeed. Should help them to live not punish them if they fail.

Euthanasia is different. Its quite difficult to legislate to allow it without opening it to abuse. Abuse by relatives, for example, which I've had personal experience of. The current compromise where doctors treat pain is best. Sometimes that treatment for the terminally ill results in a painless death. All laws have unintended consequences and this is one area you really shouldn't risk it.

[Tom Paine]

I think this gives my feelings rather nicely - especially this;

Putting together, therefore, these conclusion, we find that human life depends upon the general laws of matter and motion, and that it is no encroachment on the office of providence to disturb or alter these general laws: Has not every one, of consequence, the free disposal of his own life? And may he not lawfully employ that power with which nature has endowed him?

Hume knew a lot...

[removeduser_487563287433]

Hrmmmmm, you have to be careful.

Killing oneself must remain illegal (irony given). People can get seriously depressed, and this is an illness, and want to kill themselves. Even if they are not ill things do get better.

But I am for euthanasia. I would want it.

[Tom Paine]

I disagree - suicide is the natural right of a person; they are the only one with the right to decide when to dispose of their life and should have as complete control over that as is possible, included within this is suicide.

[danzig]

I disagree - suicide is the natural right of a person; they are the only one with the right to decide when to dispose of their life and should have as complete control over that as is possible, included within this is suicide.

Suicidal thoughts however is generally a temporary condition due to depression or treatable. Ill agree with Ferret here. There are quite a few people who felt like killing themselves or tried and failed who ended up regretting they ever attempted it. I'm all for the "right to die" if it involves an untreatable condition or is unable to actually "live" but when someone has something that can be treated I think its society's duty to attempt to help them.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Ugh no. Terrible, awful things can and will happen in life that will possibly want them to commit suicide - but things always get better and it must be forced upon them to get through it if need be.

[Tom Paine]

Ugh no. Terrible, awful things can and will happen in life that will possibly want them to commit suicide - but things always get better and it must be forced upon them to get through it if need be.

Again, why, Ferrets? So that we can live their life for them? Who has sovereign right over life - the one living it, or the one who associates with them? The former!

[removeduser_487563287433]

Again, why, Ferrets? So that we can live their life for them? Who has sovereign right over life - the one living it, or the one who associates with them? The former!

I have a bit more understanding of how depression works than others - so please, trust me. It's an illness, and if they're driven to suicide it is a consequence of that, it must be treated and prevented. Under no circumstances is suicide the correct option unless you are facing a terminal illness or pemament loss of physical or mental capabilities.

[Gaidin]

I have a bit more understanding of how depression works than others - so please, trust me. It's an illness, and if they're driven to suicide it is a consequence of that, it must be treated and prevented. Under no circumstances is suicide the correct option unless you are facing a terminal illness or pemament loss of physical or mental capabilities.

The flaw here is that not all ideas of suicide stem from just these two things.

[removeduser_487563287433]

The flaw here is that not all ideas of suicide stem from just these two things.

I'm not suggesting that, but my point would be the same. People have to be helped and forced through hardship, not abandoned and allowed to give up.

[Denny Crane!]

No one could ever oppose this who has witnessed a person die of muscular dystrophy. When they lose the ability to move as much as not even being able to blink or twitch a finger yet are as active internally as ever.

I would quite happily be eviscerated rather than suffer that fate, or if I am there eviscerate me there and then. Fingers in the eyeballs whatever, solong as I didn't suffer the most cruel and unusual of deaths.

Palliative care is excellent and the people doing it are amazing workers but it only cares for those terminally ill patients who are suitable for it, other types of long term care for the terminally ill do not do this but positively extend an excruciating life long after it would have ceased naturally.

[Denny Crane!]

I don't know anyone in the medical profession that would disagree with that, I wouldn't either.

[God-Emperor of Mankind]

1)Should a person have the right to die if they so wish? Suicide/Euthanasia?

If a person got a disease that is fatal then yes that person has every right to asked to be put down to avoid suffering.
We grant animals that right, why shouldn't we enjoy the same ??
If a person is depressed then if they wanna commit suicide then that's their thing however they should not be asked to be put down like a sick person.

2)In a situation where a person was unable to communicate what their will was, but they were perceived to be suffering immensely, would it be right to end their life?(Terry Shiavo case in mind)

If the next of kin agree and the doctors agree that this person will never recover and will only suffer a cruel fate before meeting their demise then yes.
In Terry's case there was no doubt it was the right choice was made.
She suffered from a 70% brain loss and was really just a empty shell.
The doctors agreed that with a severe damage that she had, a recovery was impossible and her husband had the legal right to decide.
Personally I thought it was cruel to let her starve to death but since euthanasia wasn't allowed then I hope the people that make the laws in florida(I think it was florida) are happy.

[Cúchulainn]

You only get one life, and as a consequence you only get one death. You have the right to chose how you live your life, so you must have the right to chose how you die.