Quote:
Originally Posted by FeyOberon
That statement relies on the presumption that suicide itself is acceptable. Regardless of whether an individual feels suicide is acceptable or not, it is accurate to say that modern society frowns on suicide.
If assisted suicide is "for those who . . . cannot commit suicide themselves," then suicide by those who can do it themselves must be acceptable.
Again, my point in my previous post was: if it is one person's right to have someone kill him because he cannot do so himself, then, is it fair that a person who is capable of killing himself does not have the right, even if he wants to die just as badly?
Yes, I am aware of that. My point was not necessarily that it is a dangerous precedent, but, rather, that it could be, particularly if it is defended as a "right."
I hope I don't seem argumentative -- I'm really just discussing.
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I think when people are talking about assisted suicide they are talking about euthanasia rather than suicide in general. The countries in which it is legal... there are numeruous legal and bureacratic safeguards to stop abuse of this law. For example the use of euthanasia must first be sanctioned by a qualified medical professional.
Because of the narrow scope in which people are arguing euthanasia to become acceptable (only for terminally ill patients who have very little hope of recovery ) I don't think it's encouraging suicide at all.