Right to die with dignity - Page 3

Originally posted by: Mister.K.

the lack of dignity is not in dying painfully or in living painfully. the lack of dignity is in not knowing why the heck we are here in the first place and what the heck we are supposed to do once we are here. there's no dignity in ignorance, living like lab rats as we are.

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

There is not one human on earth who is not 'ignorant'. No matter what we try we will always be 'ignorant'. In the end its not about who knows what, but who is aware that they are 'ignorant'.

There is no surer sign of ignorance than the confidence of knowing it all, or more than others.

Originally posted by: Summer3

So basically, if I understand correctly from Mr. K, most of us are just loitering and taking up space ( Not knowing the purpose of our existence or not attempting to unravel the mystery is to be classified as an undignified and pathetic life ).

If such is the case then it will not matter if we lived or died as it would be the coming and going of another insignificant character.

Originally posted by: Mister.K.

Mostly right Summer, but not quite what I wanted to convey.

Your topic is about the right to die with dignity. I know what you mean there; you were probably taking about mercy killing.

I was asking - why talk about dignity at death when, even during our entire lifetime, we never had it.

Dignity is defined as a state of being worthy of esteem or respect. And lack of dignity at death implies that the person who is about to die is so helpless that, in his/her own eyes, they would feel unworthy of esteem or respect when they are on life support.

My point is, when during our lifetime, were we not helpless? When during our lifetime, were we not on support? When during our lifetime, were we not fragile?

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

Ah the complicated issue of Euthanasia.

Its a complicated issue, but I believe in the right to die with dignity. It definitely is not an easy choice. I've seen loved ones suffer excruciatingly in the final stages - who would have wanted to pull the plug but could not. Not that I want to let go, but I personally feel it is humane and compassionate to let people make that choice and save themselves some of the suffering as well as embarrassment of vegetated living. I would want that for myself. But I do know some people who want to fight till the very last breath no matter what. So its a choice people can have in their living wills.

Of course there are no clear cut answers, some people will give up to easily and some people will hang on too stubbornly (I know pro-lifers don't think there is any such thing as hanging on too long or too stubbornly). However, that is why I feel the legal framework should make room to allow some forms of Euthanasia for terminally ill or vegetated humans.

Alright the contention of wanting to die over pimple, wrinkle is ludicrous. If there is anyone out there who wants to, then they totally deserve to be eliminated for good riddance sake. Same goes for all those cry me a river jilted lovers and lonely hearts. If you can't grow some and live on for the few who do matter, then sorry you aint worth the burden on the biosphere.

Rape or abuse victims is a tricky situation. Actually even war veterans or people who witnessed murder, traumatic accidents suffer suicidal tendencies. Many clinically depressed (alright I know jilted lovers can also get to this point) people also suffer suicidal tendencies. One cannot look down on them. However, they dont need death with dignity, they deserve life with dignity. What they need is a support system that gives them strength and courage to live and move on. This is not a situation I would support euthanasia for.

Originally posted by: angie.4u

More than anything else its a feeling of dependency and being a burden on others that make a terminally ill patient or a bedridden person opt for euthanasia. When a person feels loved and wanted s/he retains the spirit to fight all odds. But at times a person may feel that one has lived ones lifes purpose and theres nothing more useful that s/he can contribute and would like to pass away peacefully .Most ppl may not support euthanasia in cases where the person is not terminally ill or leading a vegetative life.

Should every person have the right to die when they want to or should it be reserved- if at all , only for those who seem to have reached a point of no return to any useful life - and who decides that- the person himself, his close relatives, the doctor, or the state ?

I think its best to let an individual decide that but while one is living why not just live fully so that when death knocks there are no regrets

and one is ready for it

I m reminded of the following lines ..I think it was Osho...

If you are alive there is inconvenience.

If you are alive there are challenges.

If you are alive then every moment you have to face reality, encounter reality.
...
Every moment you have to be ready to change and to move.

Reality has no security and that is its beauty.

Life has no security and that is its beauty.

Because there is no security, there is adventure.

Because the future is unknown,

nobody knows what is going to happen the next moment.

That's why there is challenge, growth, adventure.

If you miss adventure, you miss all.