Re:Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark S...
by grayhatter on Tuesday March 04, 2025 @11:15AM
(#43256626)
I think it's reasonable to have different lines for different decisions. Driving at 16 is fine, voting at 18 feels young (subjectively, but more young people should vote), drinking at 21 feels responsibile, can consent to suicide at the age of the 95th percentile where brains have stopped growing/maturing feels reasonable? I think I heard your brain is growing until the age of 25, and IIRC The odds of being diagnosed with schizophrenia goes up until the age of 26, so maybe 26 is the age which you're considered adult enough to consent to suicide?
Re:Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark S...
by mariusor on Tuesday March 04, 2025 @12:16PM
(#43257471)
Where do you think the age of being allowed to enlist in the army should be?
Re:Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark S...
by grayhatter on Tuesday March 04, 2025 @12:28PM
(#43257618)
Oooh, that's an interesting question. So, normally I'd reject the hypothetical here, and say war is bad, so "should" doesn't apply. But instead, if I can assume it's required for existence, society should define the minimum age as high as possible to ensure victory. Fighting in a war is actively harmful to feeling safe. Feeling safe is required for individuals to grow at the maximum rate. Growing as a child has the same effects as compounding interest, so the absolute best growth possible should be the target for everyone, as early as possible.
If you're talking about joining a standing army without consideration for combat. I don't think there's any minimum age. I used to teach a "combat sport" to children as young as 4. Then, for the US army, which I know about, I think 18 is perfectly reasonable, where many people could gain very useful skills/education from the training that joining the US military entails.
Re:Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark S...
by mariusor on Tuesday March 04, 2025 @12:56PM
(#43257945)
> most people could gain very useful skills/education from the training that joining the US military entails
And also can get very dead from the numerous conflicts in which the US keeps getting involved in.
We have to create a line somewhere and currently that line is the age of majority. Some people mature faster than others, and even you didn’t provide a specific age. How are we supposed to make decisions about what constitutes an adult without a firm cutoff?