What is the basis for claiming that you have the right to deny any and all
obligation to humanity, including your own, through a legal framework.
Well, I could start with the Declaration of Independence. "Live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." If I have a right to life, I have a right to control the end of that life, not turn that decision over to the state.
Then, I could talk about basic autonomy of the individual. I'll turn it around -- what right does society have for forcing me to continue living a life which it is intolerable for me to lead? On what basis do you, as a member of society, claim more right to decide what will happen to my life than I have? Sure, my suicide will affect people. So will a decision to continue living. Seems to me that it's my right to decide which set of obligations and activities I choose to fulfill. Otherwise, the state is claiming the right to treat me as its slave, not even allowing me the basic right to decide whether to continue living.
You talk about the impact on society. But at this time, I have the right if I want to to take a plane to Katmandu and enter a Buddhist monestary. I have the right to get into a sailboat and sail alone around the world. Both these things will also affect society, but I have the right to do them. (At least so far you haven't claimed that I don't. Maybe that will be your next step?)
But basically, I want you to explain why you can force me to continue living a life I don't want to live; what gives you that right? |
