We don't want to live because of the pain we feel in our daily lives. That's how I feel at least, but I think that if we didn't suffer at all, the little small moments of happiness most people will have felt or feel in their lives won't be as special as they are. The happiness we feel is because of what we suffered before. For example like cheating in a video game. It's easy and you have to put barely any effort in, and it's fun at first, but it will get boring pretty fast. There has to be a challenge for things to feel rewarding. At least that's how I think it is.
Also, yes, no one asked to be born and there is no reason for us to be born, but you can always quit one day, right? I like to cope with my reality sometimes by telling myself that I could just stop it all if it really gets that bad. I think being brought into the world is just like being open-minded and trying out something new. We could always quit if we really really tried. I think if you're thinking about suicide like me, maybe life just wasn't for you. Maybe you'd rather not go through so much pain just to be happy for a few small moments. And I think that's fine. Everyone has at least some freedom in what they do.
That's how I feel about it at least. I can understand how people could think differently, I've been there, but that's just what I think right now in the present moment. Maybe my opinion will change in the future.
Actually- I've considered this too- CAN there really be just pure happiness? Or- do we need it's opposite to feel it? Life- or- at least a life that feels balanced and worthwhile does seem to be about contrast to me. I think we only REALLY appreciate our health after we have been sick. Fresh air is nice after being cooped up indoors but it can become too much- too harsh if we are outdoors all the time with no shelter. It's curious that people who appear to have it all it terms of wealth and opportunities DO also get depressed and suicide. It DOES make you wonder whether the 'struggle' element is needed to make achievement feel real... I was actually thinking about starting a thread in off-topic about this...
BUT- to get back to the original theme of the post- I have to agree with the OP- what we choose to do with life is in some way- up to us. Life itself though- (depending on what you believe of course) I don't remember choosing to be born/ to live. We ARE forced into this world. Then- we live whatever kind of life fate has in store for us with whatever genes we were either blessed or cursed with. I guess we ARE at least motal- so- there is an exit door. But just consider what it's blocked by...
For starters- all the emotional bonds we have unavoidably formed with people until now. Leaving ISN'T just a case of exiting- we know we're going to hurt them. So- there's a whole load of emotional blackmail keeping us here- ie. if you suicide- you'll possibly deeply hurt others. I don't want to hurt other people so- for now- I keep living.
The other problem is- it's made to be as difficult/ frightening and risky as possible by limiting our means for a peaceful and reliable death. So- I know I'm going to have to go through at least some pain/ discomfort/ fear in order to leave this place. Even worse- there's the very real possibility the attempt will fail- and life will become a whole lot worse.
So- I have to agree with the OP- life IS an imposition. Not simply an unwanted gift that you can return without any hassle. By giving a creature life- it's a total gamble. They MAY actually enjoy it and be ok. If they don't though- you've just given them a whole long series of problems that they are ultimately on their own to solve. If their life becomes SO unbearable that they simply can't take it anymore- their exit is likely to be the most upsetting, horrific and dangerous decision they will need to overcome to be free.
In a way- I actually think our thinking minds are in some way split from our primal minds and our bodies. When we commit suicide- we are kind of having to murder that part of ourselves. I doubt many of us want to commit murder for starters. I don't actually WANT to hurt myself. I don't enjoy pain. Plus- our primal minds and bodies are going to fight back with all they have in the form of survival instinct.
I REALLY resent being in the position where the only way out of here is to risk doing this to myself- I'm sure I do want to go though- I've no interest in trying to make things 'better'.
So ultimately- we get the choice of a life some of us find horrific or a death that could well end up being horrific! In that way- I think life is the problem. Life started the series of (unfortunate) events that lead us here. We only have SOME control over what happens in our lives- the rest is chance and choice of how we react to it (to some degree.) There isn't an obligation to be happy but there IS an obligation to keep on living in most circumstances- EVEN if that isn't what we want. For me at any case- life seems like the most enormous of gambles with very bad odds- considering what CAN happen in life. Personally, I can't see why people think it's fair to take that risk when they're playing with their own child's life- but there we go- I'm an anti-natilist in my heart.
