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RE: The Closing Down of Care Homes: An Inevitability (a reply to @lloydy, sorta)
Nitpickers would have pointed out that assisted suicide is not "euthanasia", technically... and I barely managed to refrain from building in the word apoptosis.
It would be a hard thing to list all issues and sort them according to importance! Maybe, however, some of them are closely related and rooted in the same cause, and can be mended, over time, with patience, by going directly to the source.
Thank you for your resonance, @moonjelly!
These are very interesting and important ideas that need to be debated more in my opinion but few people would dare to because it's too real and it's about our own mortality after all.
I think the real issue though is that implementing assisted suicides, euthanasia and other methods of "mercy killings" is because you would need to legally enforce someone to actually do it. Abortion went and it's still going through similar growing pains. Perhaps in the near future machines and AI could randomize the guilt factor if you know what I mean. Anyway, to me denying the comfort of a peaceful death it's nuts that in this day and age to someone who is wary about life, very old or don't want to "fight" an incurable illness anymore. I just don't see any valid reason in becoming a burden (in all senses, economic and emotional). Who wants to become that? I personally don't know how would I react if I were lonely, sick and old, perhaps many could find strength and remain stoic and graceful.
A similar comparison could be done for inmates facing life in prison sentences if you think about it.
I don't think the enforcement would be that much of an issue; it would be among the honors and duties of many a healer, shaman, medicine man, doctor or specialized assistant. I understand your randomization scheme well! And from a "guilt" perspective... it is considered a great honor for a kaishakunin to second a friend's seppuku...
Forgive me if it looks like I'm blurring lines, but these are clearly cultural ones and can be overcome in a matter of a few generations only. Those who can make such a choice for themselves should not be forbidden or prevented to choose such an option. What is more absurd than forcing someone to live through pain and suffering against his will by all means possible?
Yes, you are right, many remain stoic, peaceful, outright defiant and euphoric as they watch the hour approaching. But you used the word stigma yourself. Without doubt, many will still refuse to take the "easy route" or however they may call it - by religious decree or conviction - or plain fear of death, as funny as that may sound.
Others would choose what they deem more dignified for the same or other reasons if they had the option and knew they will not be judged (or not care if), and knew whom to ask for assistance.
And yes, imprisoning people wasn't one of humanity's brightest ideas either :/