Right to Live, Right to Die (WAS: Death with Dignity)

[Guest guest]

Nora, I agree. I'd add that, if we really possess, by natural law, the right

to live, and if we really are the owners of our own being and body, then the

right to die ... the right to choose how, when, where, with whom, and under

what circumstances one wishes to die ... cannot be excluded. To create such

an exclusion is to limit the underlying right to live and to impair each

person's ownership in and of the self.

 

I agree, of course, with sentiments expressed by some people that it would

be nice if more people realized what is possible, etc. But sentiment creates

no right or power to control others, in law, morally, or otherwise.

 

In this regard, I mention that America's founders sought to guarantee a

right they called " the pursuit of happiness " . They saw clearly that they

could not guarantee happiness to anyone, but only the right to pursue it. It

seems to me that the pursuit of health lies within this broader construct.

People may, by birthright, pursue health. But no one is intrinsically

entitled to health itself, this we must each create to the best of our own

ability and in accordance with our own values and resultant priorities.

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

_____

 

Nora Lenz

Friday, October 31, 2008 11:17 AM

 

Re: OT.Re: Death with Dignity

 

 

Mark,

I agree that it's not a moronic discussion. OT maybe, but worth having, imo.

I don't agree with your position on this initiative, however. You can't

desire personal liberty for yourself but take away choices for others. You

choose to live healthfully but others choose not to.

 

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