TAW122
Emissary of the right to die.
- Aug 30, 2018
- 6,871
Most of us have probably seen a similar argument that some pro-lifers like to use to deter others from choosing to go out on one's own terms. The argument that they use is "Why CTB [or take matters into one's own hands], when death will come eventually", "there is no rush to death because it will come, just 'enjoy' life", "You only live once!" or any similar weak arguments against CTB.
The reason that these arguments are weak arguments against CTB'ing is that from a pro-choicer's perspective, we (pro-choicers) are simply trying to take matters into our own hands and trying to go out ON OUR OWN TERMS. We don't wish to suffer unnecessarily, especially for sentience that was imposed against our will without our consent. Yes, while it may be true that all living things will eventually expire and die just from natural causes (or other causes of death), many who do end up dying do not get to go peacefully, let alone on their own terms, but for things outside of their control. The main focus point of pro-choicers is to have the inalienable right to determine one's own fate, which includes the ability to go out on one's own terms rather than to be slaves to the system or let nature (or other uncontrollable, unplanned circumstances) take it's course, often in ways that we did not wish to exit.
There is nothing more important than the right to no longer exist and exiting on one's own terms because besides what one attains in life, be it property, titles, intangibles, and other stuff, the only one thing that is most core to oneself, is one's ultimate bodily autonomy. Thus, not being able to even dictate how one goes just ensures that one is a slave to the system and/or the collective others'. Furthermore, there is no greater tyranny than the omnipotent moral busybodies dictating what is best for another. (taken and summarized from C.S. Lewis's quote)
Anyways, I thought I'd take this pro-lifer argument, dissect it, and then expose it for what it is. By being able to control one's own death by going out on one's own terms would guarantee that one does not have to be subjected to unnecessary suffering and unwanted experiences, even if at the cost of prospective fleeting pleasures down the road. The lack of sentience and ability to feel regret once one is dead is a small price to pay for the multitude of years of mundanity and suffering that awaits one, let alone even finding oneself in a situation where one loses all autonomy due to circumstances outside of one's control (ill health, unexpected accidents, and more).
The reason that these arguments are weak arguments against CTB'ing is that from a pro-choicer's perspective, we (pro-choicers) are simply trying to take matters into our own hands and trying to go out ON OUR OWN TERMS. We don't wish to suffer unnecessarily, especially for sentience that was imposed against our will without our consent. Yes, while it may be true that all living things will eventually expire and die just from natural causes (or other causes of death), many who do end up dying do not get to go peacefully, let alone on their own terms, but for things outside of their control. The main focus point of pro-choicers is to have the inalienable right to determine one's own fate, which includes the ability to go out on one's own terms rather than to be slaves to the system or let nature (or other uncontrollable, unplanned circumstances) take it's course, often in ways that we did not wish to exit.
There is nothing more important than the right to no longer exist and exiting on one's own terms because besides what one attains in life, be it property, titles, intangibles, and other stuff, the only one thing that is most core to oneself, is one's ultimate bodily autonomy. Thus, not being able to even dictate how one goes just ensures that one is a slave to the system and/or the collective others'. Furthermore, there is no greater tyranny than the omnipotent moral busybodies dictating what is best for another. (taken and summarized from C.S. Lewis's quote)
Anyways, I thought I'd take this pro-lifer argument, dissect it, and then expose it for what it is. By being able to control one's own death by going out on one's own terms would guarantee that one does not have to be subjected to unnecessary suffering and unwanted experiences, even if at the cost of prospective fleeting pleasures down the road. The lack of sentience and ability to feel regret once one is dead is a small price to pay for the multitude of years of mundanity and suffering that awaits one, let alone even finding oneself in a situation where one loses all autonomy due to circumstances outside of one's control (ill health, unexpected accidents, and more).
