Renneh
I know A Bot
- 224
- Posts
- 16
- Years
- Seen Mar 14, 2009
I decided to start a debate topic like was suggested in the debate forum topic...whether it is needed. so just so people know...this is a debate, keep it civilised. I searched to find a topic similar in the WHOLE of the forums but couldn't find one.
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Is suicide an acceptable way to die? What circumstances would be acceptable? Do we have a duty to ourselves/to others to continue living instead? Is suicide an act of selfishness? Or in some cases is it an act of bravery (self-sacrifice)?
In some traditional cultures such as in Japan before it was 'westernized' (not wholly but if you think of the traditional side of Japan) it was considered a duty to protect your family's honour by departing this world by your own hands, Just putting that there as example of a society where it was a duty to commit suicide.
Next question may seem obvious but why do people commit suicide?
If a person who was 'good' throughout their life but then committed suicide after a series of tragic events, would this counter out everything that was good about that person and make them feel they had let you down or others down by departing?
On the side, Should Euthanasia be legalized in -insert country name here- as we all live in different countries and I'm not sure which countries have it legalized and which don't? If so, in what circumstances should it be an option for example, when you have a terminal illness in which you will endure much pain and suffering before your death.
And I'm going to stop there as I'm about to give my opinion on some of these questions I've been thinking about and I can't take too long, I'm sure other questions will arise as the debate unfolds. I'll keep it brief for now because I haven't got alot of time.
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I do think we have a duty to ourselves to partake in this journey of life as thoroughly as one can. Therefore I do not believe suicide is an option. When considering suicide I would think to steer away from the idea of committing I would suggest someone think about the future. The far future, where no one knows what is going to happen but there is a possibility that whatever it is might bring about happiness. It is worth waiting for because happiness is an activity of the soul, which every soul has the right to experience. And this leads me to thinking we'd be selfish to steal this from ourselves.
But when it comes to self-sacrifice, for example if you had to allow yourself to be killed or kill yourself to save another person then obviously I deem this bravery. I'm not sure whether this is a human thing to do or maybe it is just possible for a few people to achieve. I think I could sacrifice myself for someone I love, but whether or not they'd want me to, no idea.. they probably wouldn't. You'd be stuck in an impossible dilemma over who should sacrifice themselves for the other? Very difficult decision and the circumstances might not leave you enough time to debate the matter.
I also think the decision to commit suicide should consider your duties as well. For example a duty to friends; to be there for them and make them happy. Or just simply a duty to a pet to not abandon him/her to take away your own pain.
I think people commit suicide when they are generally pessimistic (truthfully and wholly) and when their present life is an unhappy one. They put this above considering the future because it might be a happy one.
Or some people might be psychologically brainwashed to commit suicide for instance in cults. I think the cult leader then has the moral responsibility on their shoulders rather than the person however being brainwashed into a cult that believes in organized suicide might prove you to be a naive person in the first place. Also proves that one isn't very successful when it comes to reasoning for oneself.
Ah, my next question is difficult for me to decide on. Does a lifetime of good deeds justify your last 'bad' one? No because it is letting people down and defying your own behaviour that you've stood by your whole life so really it is letting yourself down more than anything. What could make a morally good person suddenly or gradually want to commit suicide?
I do think Euthanasia should be an available option for people with terminal illnesses, as long as the diagnosis is thoroughly checked and the person is of sound mind to still have the freewill to make this option then they should be allowed it.
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Sorry for any typos, try to address the debate throughout this topic rather than a person. By this I mean, talk about what the person is saying, not the person. Just something I always try to keep in mind.
eek, hope people participate, I think it is an interesting dilemma to discuss but that might be just me.
----
Is suicide an acceptable way to die? What circumstances would be acceptable? Do we have a duty to ourselves/to others to continue living instead? Is suicide an act of selfishness? Or in some cases is it an act of bravery (self-sacrifice)?
In some traditional cultures such as in Japan before it was 'westernized' (not wholly but if you think of the traditional side of Japan) it was considered a duty to protect your family's honour by departing this world by your own hands, Just putting that there as example of a society where it was a duty to commit suicide.
Next question may seem obvious but why do people commit suicide?
If a person who was 'good' throughout their life but then committed suicide after a series of tragic events, would this counter out everything that was good about that person and make them feel they had let you down or others down by departing?
On the side, Should Euthanasia be legalized in -insert country name here- as we all live in different countries and I'm not sure which countries have it legalized and which don't? If so, in what circumstances should it be an option for example, when you have a terminal illness in which you will endure much pain and suffering before your death.
And I'm going to stop there as I'm about to give my opinion on some of these questions I've been thinking about and I can't take too long, I'm sure other questions will arise as the debate unfolds. I'll keep it brief for now because I haven't got alot of time.
---
I do think we have a duty to ourselves to partake in this journey of life as thoroughly as one can. Therefore I do not believe suicide is an option. When considering suicide I would think to steer away from the idea of committing I would suggest someone think about the future. The far future, where no one knows what is going to happen but there is a possibility that whatever it is might bring about happiness. It is worth waiting for because happiness is an activity of the soul, which every soul has the right to experience. And this leads me to thinking we'd be selfish to steal this from ourselves.
But when it comes to self-sacrifice, for example if you had to allow yourself to be killed or kill yourself to save another person then obviously I deem this bravery. I'm not sure whether this is a human thing to do or maybe it is just possible for a few people to achieve. I think I could sacrifice myself for someone I love, but whether or not they'd want me to, no idea.. they probably wouldn't. You'd be stuck in an impossible dilemma over who should sacrifice themselves for the other? Very difficult decision and the circumstances might not leave you enough time to debate the matter.
I also think the decision to commit suicide should consider your duties as well. For example a duty to friends; to be there for them and make them happy. Or just simply a duty to a pet to not abandon him/her to take away your own pain.
I think people commit suicide when they are generally pessimistic (truthfully and wholly) and when their present life is an unhappy one. They put this above considering the future because it might be a happy one.
Or some people might be psychologically brainwashed to commit suicide for instance in cults. I think the cult leader then has the moral responsibility on their shoulders rather than the person however being brainwashed into a cult that believes in organized suicide might prove you to be a naive person in the first place. Also proves that one isn't very successful when it comes to reasoning for oneself.
Ah, my next question is difficult for me to decide on. Does a lifetime of good deeds justify your last 'bad' one? No because it is letting people down and defying your own behaviour that you've stood by your whole life so really it is letting yourself down more than anything. What could make a morally good person suddenly or gradually want to commit suicide?
I do think Euthanasia should be an available option for people with terminal illnesses, as long as the diagnosis is thoroughly checked and the person is of sound mind to still have the freewill to make this option then they should be allowed it.
---
Sorry for any typos, try to address the debate throughout this topic rather than a person. By this I mean, talk about what the person is saying, not the person. Just something I always try to keep in mind.
eek, hope people participate, I think it is an interesting dilemma to discuss but that might be just me.