I have never heard anyone rational, even in pro choice forums, say it should be a free for all. Put age limits on it since children have developing minds and lack the perspective to make such choices. Put awareness/rationality checks on it the same way we do any other medical procedure with informed consent. Unless the person is being purposefully isolated and kept from others, which is an edge case, I don't see a scenario where an invalid would be unable to find someone understanding to assist, thus the fear of being "forced to kill" FUD I hear often isn't realistic.
Obviously the best thing to do is to minimize the numbers of people who end up in such situations by addressing root causes. But that is something society has proven unwilling to deal with at scale. There will always be some people who have intractable suffering, with no tolerable outcome possible, and they deserve a peaceful way out.
Its not as clear cut as you describe it, especially with the age limit. There are quite a few terminal kids who suffer unbearably and have for large parts of their lifes. Its not an easy topic, but the Netherlands as well as Belgium have included children in their assisted suicide laws for a reason. Its nicer to not think about the consequences of ones opinion on the matter, but suffering doesnt care for your age or mental development. And the reality is that if you outlaw assisted suicide you condemn some people to literal torture.
Re:The Euthanasia That Wasn’t
by bryanrasmussen on Thursday June 06, 2019 @12:36AM
(#20111630)
OK well I don't know if the commenter I responded to was rational but it sure sounded like they wanted something much closer to a free for all than what you're advocating.
Re:The Euthanasia That Wasn’t
by bryanrasmussen on Saturday June 08, 2019 @04:33PM
(#20134967)
You will note that the original commenter that I replied to replied back, with a yes that it should be a free for all.
Yes. Why shouldn’t they be able to self-realize at all times, and for any reason?
Assistance is a whole ‘nother ballpark. I don’t think it’s a moral imperative for anyone to do anything for a second party that the first does not fully consent to.
If they lack the ability to do so for some reason should they be assisted?
Is that should a moral imperative?