Assisted suicide is mainly sympathetic when one contemplates a terminal case in the throes of unbearable pain, or so severely incapacitated that he suffers extreme indignities. Of course, it makes some sense to act upon one's option in anticipation of the dire alternatives. However, many people would not look so favorably on assisted suicide if it were merely an opportunity to rush the process of dying. Why involves others in your decision to kill yourself, even to acquiesce and support it, when you will be dead in due course? Accepting death is one thing, cheering it on another. Even incapacitation does not quite seem enough, although admittedly it is more sympathetic. I have a brother with cerebral palsy,confined to a wheelchair, who is severely restricted in what he can do for himself. He requires help merely to go to the bathroom. I would be loathe to suggest that being incapacitated was a good reason to sink into contempt of life, and wish to be rid of it. Yes, each makes his choice for himself, but each choice is a commentary, as well.
There is good reason to be reluctant to alter legal arrangements surrounding such matters. In our laws, we demonstrate what we are as a society, or hope to be, what values we want to promote. A rights based theory of the law is much too shallow. Through the law we underscore what is important to us, and how much so. One issue raised by assisted suicide, especially if it takes place before there is any real suffering, is whether we want to further promote the infantilization of American culture. Killing yourself because you are going to die is a mere tantrum; killing yourself because you may become incapacitated suggests a lack of fortitude, the kind shown by many disabled every day; even killing yourself because you fear pain, even though most people get adequate coverage from the various palliatives available, seems to lack the endurance we associate with maturity and character. I find the reservations about the man who went prematurely very interesting, and demonstrative of the sense of impropriety that many people feel when contemplating the issue....... |
