[cancer] Assisted suicide and the will to live

[jaylake]

Yesterday someone asked me why, if I was so miserable, I didn't go ahead with assisted suicide, as provided for by the Oregon Death With Dignity Act. Voluntary euthanasia has been legal here for many years, the primary criteria being that the patient is mentally competent to request it, the request be made both verbally and in writing, and that the

Comments

[goulo]

Makes sense to me

[bovil]

Think of atheism as not believing in the supernatural. Popular supernatural frameworks are all associated with some religion. "Afterlife" pretty much requires a supernatural framework to support the concept. Not believing in the central tenet of a supernatural framework (god or gods) pretty much brings the whole framework crashing down.

[goulo]

Well, as mcjulie points out, there are "real world" counterexample religions in both directions.

But I'm not so interested in what establishment religions say about it; I was talking about the logical/philosophical point that "god" and "afterlife" are 2 quite different things.

And in any case, even if you believe that god is necessary for an afterlife to exist, it doesn't prove that god implies an afterlife exists. For all theists know, god created us to die and that's all... :)

[mcjulie]

Well, if I'm remembering my comparative religions correctly, Buddhism could be called an atheistic religion with an afterlife, as most forms don't have an ultimate God figure, while early Jews had an ultimate God figure without an afterlife concept.

So I'm not sure the two are as inevitably entwined as our Christianish cultural background leads us to assume.

[deborahjross]

I've recently had a number of conversations with a person with a terminal diagnosis who wanted the option of Death With Dignity but waited too long to begin the process. And was royally pissed with the choice between the amount of narcotics necessary to be comfortable and the clarity of mind necessary to give informed consent. The anger passed, and the remaining time was filled with unexpected blessings. The person and family had more time to put unfinished business to rest and to say goodbye. And every day brought a moment or a dozen of fragile, transcendent beauty.

You never know.

[asakiyume]

So glad to hear this.

[martianmooncrab]

Which is why Oregon is a wonderful place to live, but the law isnt mandatory for residents..

When its time, its time. You got too much to do ..

[mckitterick]

Pleased to hear it, Jay. I completely understand your attitude on this, and it much reflects how I think I'll feel one day when facing the question. Heck, I never completed the act when contemplating it due to unbearable emotional suffering, and I had the means right at hand, so I suspect the same'll be true when I face the question for health reasons one day - as we all will, no matter how Kurzweil-esque our hopes.

Life and people and the universe and discovery are all so full of wonder, it's tremendously difficult to let go when something cool is always just around the corner... and ceases to be in our personal universe once we cease to be.

A local acquaintance has been arrested for 1st degree murder of a marriage partner, and everyone who knows this person (and the sick partner) has a feeling it was assisted suicide.

The toughest issues arise near the end of life, and we'll all support you however you face things. Your choices so far seem thoughtful and brave, and I hope your openness about things are helping others in similar

[jtdiii]

Too much to do, too many friends to see and cute women to flirt with. Don't stop till they drag you kicking and screaming into the coffin.