4 ms·

As someone who thinks suicide is an unalienable human right, I find it insulting that someone may wish to take my guns, in order to stimy any attempt I may make

by b1r6 8y ago

As someone who thinks suicide is an unalienable human right, I find it insulting that someone may wish to take my guns, in order to stimy any attempt I may make at committing suicide. I am certain this is a minority view.

sahil-kang 8y ago
That’s an interesting opinion I’ve never heard before: suicide as an inalienable right. For clarity, you’re not referring to euthanasia by any chance, are you? If not, can you elaborate on why suicide is or should be an inalienable right? From my understanding, people with mental health issues may be more likely to consider suicide. So my opinion is that suicide should be considered a symptom of an illness that needs medical attention as opposed to an inalienable right like free speech.
- jackvalentine 8y ago
  It's interesting to consider. I'm inclined to agree with b1r6 and would say that autonomy over one's life is only complete if you also have the right to end it. That said, I do also agree that in some cases, not all, suicide is a symptom of an illness. I think the way of reconciling these two positions is to make mental healthcare ubiquitous with low barriers to access - and help people to get in to care earlier before things escalate. Additionally, our national policies should seek to minimize the number of 'dead ends' in people's lives without opportunity to move forward or upward.
  - true_religion 8y ago
    I do agree. If you cannot end your life, then you have to accept living under whatever terrible conditions that other peoples grudging charity will give you as you refuse to work or participate in society.
alangpierce 8y ago
It's definitely a difficult issue. I think your perspective works out great in a world where all people have free will and their decisions are consistent and intentional, reflecting their "true self". In a world like that, additional freedoms nearly always lead to better outcomes, but I don't think that's the world we live in. I, personally, have come to the sad conclusion that I cannot trust my mind to act in my best interest at all times. In the past, I have made the decision to kill myself, and if I had access to a gun, I likely would not be alive today. I'm happy to be alive, and I'm grateful to live in a culture where guns are rare. I worry about getting into that mental state again, so as one preventative step, I make sure to never own a gun and never live with people who own guns. There are plenty of milder analogies that I think are relatable to a lot of people, like limiting the amount of unhealthy food you have at home to avoid mindless snacking. If unlimited Cheetos were available to everyone all the time, it would probably make the world a worse place.

by b1r6 8y ago

sahil-kang 8y ago

That’s an interesting opinion I’ve never heard before: suicide as an inalienable right. For clarity, you’re not referring to euthanasia by any chance, are you? If not, can you elaborate on why suicide is or should be an inalienable right? From my understanding, people with mental health issues may be more likely to consider suicide. So my opinion is that suicide should be considered a symptom of an illness that needs medical attention as opposed to an inalienable right like free speech.

jackvalentine 8y ago
It's interesting to consider. I'm inclined to agree with b1r6 and would say that autonomy over one's life is only complete if you also have the right to end it. That said, I do also agree that in some cases, not all, suicide is a symptom of an illness. I think the way of reconciling these two positions is to make mental healthcare ubiquitous with low barriers to access - and help people to get in to care earlier before things escalate. Additionally, our national policies should seek to minimize the number of 'dead ends' in people's lives without opportunity to move forward or upward.
- true_religion 8y ago
  I do agree. If you cannot end your life, then you have to accept living under whatever terrible conditions that other peoples grudging charity will give you as you refuse to work or participate in society.

alangpierce 8y ago

It's definitely a difficult issue. I think your perspective works out great in a world where all people have free will and their decisions are consistent and intentional, reflecting their "true self". In a world like that, additional freedoms nearly always lead to better outcomes, but I don't think that's the world we live in. I, personally, have come to the sad conclusion that I cannot trust my mind to act in my best interest at all times. In the past, I have made the decision to kill myself, and if I had access to a gun, I likely would not be alive today. I'm happy to be alive, and I'm grateful to live in a culture where guns are rare. I worry about getting into that mental state again, so as one preventative step, I make sure to never own a gun and never live with people who own guns. There are plenty of milder analogies that I think are relatable to a lot of people, like limiting the amount of unhealthy food you have at home to avoid mindless snacking. If unlimited Cheetos were available to everyone all the time, it would probably make the world a worse place.