Death by choice: Should it be allowed? [ENDS 11/11/2012]

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Originally Posted by The Don

Something called compassion... Why shouldn't we prevent someone from killing themselves if we are able to do so?

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Because that's not your call to make in a free society.

You can offer them help by all means, but to force somebody to adhere to your opinions and beliefs? no.

The same applies to people who want to eat McDonalds everyday, smoke heavy, take drugs etc - stupid, but their choice.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Because that's not your call to make in a free society.

You can offer them help by all means, but to force somebody to adhere to your opinions and beliefs? no.

The same applies to people who want to eat McDonalds everyday, smoke heavy, take drugs etc - stupid, but their choice.

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Anybody contemplating suicide due to depression and not of sound mind should be helped just as much as anybody who is homeless or ill, unless of course you're against helping those too? and if you are in favour of not helping people who are ill e.g suffering from cancer then there really isn't any point in having a debate over it since we clearly have different levels of empathy/morality

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Originally Posted by The Don

Anybody contemplating suicide due to depression and not of sound mind should be helped just as much as anybody who is homeless or ill, unless of course you're against helping those too? and if you are in favour of not helping people who are ill e.g suffering from cancer then there really isn't any point in having a debate over it since we clearly have different levels of empathy/morality

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To die by cancer isn't a choice, to die by suicide is a choice.

I'm not saying I want people to kill themselves, obviously if charities provide enough help services then hopefully many can be prevented - but to implement a law saying it is illegal to take your own life? not only is it ridiculous as nobody would be (or is) charged under it, but its fundementally anti-liberty.

I own my body, not the state.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

To die by cancer isn't a choice, to die by suicide is a choice.

I'm not saying I want people to kill themselves, obviously if charities provide enough help services then hopefully many can be prevented - but to implement a law saying it is illegal to take your own life? not only is it ridiculous as nobody would be (or is) charged under it, but its fundementally anti-liberty.

I own my body, not the state.

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I never mentioned any laws... anybody who wants to take their own life (unless there are other external factors such as terminal illness etc) are more than likely not of sound mind = not thinking rationally which is why safeguards should be in place to prevent pointless deaths. You seem to think I'm advocating in favour of a law or something which I've never once said...

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Originally Posted by The Don

I never mentioned any laws... anybody who wants to take their own life (unless there are other external factors such as terminal illness etc) are more than likely not of sound mind = not thinking rationally which is why safeguards should be in place to prevent pointless deaths. You seem to think I'm advocating in favour of a law or something which I've never once said...

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Unless they are insane by classic standards then no action ought to be taken by the state.

And yes you are are you not? you are advocating the state intervene and prevent people from taking their own lives?

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

but to implement a law saying it is illegal to take your own life? not only is it ridiculous as nobody would be (or is) charged under it

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In general laws implemented for this purpose will state that it is illegal to attempt to take your own life. Not that this is a successful deterrent as it only affects those unlucky enough to fail and it doesn't tackle the real problem which is the motive behind the act.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Unless they are insane by classic standards then no action ought to be taken by the state.

And yes you are are you not? you are advocating the state intervene and prevent people from taking their own lives?

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Yes, but what would introducing a law do? it's hardly a deterrent if somebody wants to take their life which means they won't be around to be charged (which should never be the case anyway). I'm advocating state intervention, yes, by funding help etc, if you read every post I've made in this thread I've never used the word punish but the word help. If you agree that there should be state funded help to prevent suicide then we're on the same page...

Your life is your own. If it's that bad that you want to get rid of it, then I guess it's your choice and shuld be aloud. Obviously these things should be well thought through though!