I can think of two ways to view this topic that are very personal to me.
I can imagine the tribal elder who no longer sees any mutual benefit in remaining as a member of the tribe. He/she wanders to a distant locale and perhaps finds a cave or some such shelter. The likely hood of death from deterioration now that the support of the tribe is gone is highly likely. So he fasts, and he waits. If food comes available he eats if not he eventually deteriorates and passes. I don't consider that suicide. And even though the members of the tribe assisted him in packing his things for to leave and bid him so long for ever, I don't consider them assisting in killing him. He chose a path that would clearly lead at some point to the end of his life, as we all do. He chose one that was a departure from and independent of the ways and means of society.
I see a difference in that kind of departure and asking someone to give you a treatment that you can use to cause death. Though it might be painless, I still consider it an act of violence that kills a living creature. I see a difference both in the kind of decision being made and in the participation of the prescriber. I also see a similarity, but it is the difference that draws my attention and pings against my conscience.
On another level I have a difficult time even thinking about the ways people are suffering in this life and would love to do something for all the suffering people in the world ... Maybe I'll write a pretty song some day...can't even think of one at the moment...probably should learn to play guitar first any way...or, maybe flute ... then nobody will notice if I don't sing along...I'm gett'n old though so hope its not to late...maybe go to the canyons and find a cave to play flute in...good accustics there...and fast for a while until...maybe not.
"I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" (1977)
Kathleen Quinlan plays Deborah, a very bright girl, who is institutionalized for three years in a psychiatric hospital. Though different from the book in some ways, this keeps the spirit of it quite well and with a much more satisfying ending than the book. Quinlan is a wonderful actress. Deborah, who is diagnosed as a schizophrenic (though she probably wouldn't be today), has a long, torturous journey through her illness. Quinlan makes us believe that she will succeed. In addition, there is a strong cast of mostly women of many ages. |
