As long as sickness and desperation have plagued humanity, there has always existed a desire in the suffering to be freed from the burdens of life. Over the centuries, the fulfillment of their wishes happened secretly, hidden from society. But during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the advent of evolutionist theory and the subsequent decline of organized religion, acts, which for so long had been concealed due to the scandal that they would inevitably provoke, came into public view. These acts, namely homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia, although ever-present since the dawn of humanity, had never been presumed morally right: their perpetration almost always resulted in shame and infamy. But now, after the public emergence of these once-dishonorable deeds has occurred, society seeks to revolutionize itself even further and shatter the negative perceptions associated with their commission: perceptions which caused them to be suppressed in the first place.
As could be expected, out of the three aforementioned issues, the one which originally seemed most acceptable for widespread, unrestricted implementation was euthanasia. The reasons for this are obvious. We, as humans, desire to achieve purpose and recognition in our lives while avoiding the things which are loathsome to our nature. In these are included pain, uselessness, fear, and dependence. Unfortunately, the inescapable process of aging is often accompanied by such troubles, causing the memorable parts of our lives to be obstructed by the suffering which we are ultimately forced to undergo. Thus, it would be compassionate and merciful if the dying process was amended in order to eradicate the fear and suffering associated with death and, through this, triumph over its power forever.
Religious beliefs aside, such should be the sentiment of every rational human being. But no matter how intrinsically human the desire to be free from suffering and death is, the unfortunate truth is that euthanasia cannot be effectively legalized while at the same time preserving the value of life.
As could be expected, out of the three aforementioned issues, the one which originally seemed most acceptable for widespread, unrestricted implementation was euthanasia. The reasons for this are obvious. We, as humans, desire to achieve purpose and recognition in our lives while avoiding the things which are loathsome to our nature. In these are included pain, uselessness, fear, and dependence. Unfortunately, the inescapable process of aging is often accompanied by such troubles, causing the memorable parts of our lives to be obstructed by the suffering which we are ultimately forced to undergo. Thus, it would be compassionate and merciful if the dying process was amended in order to eradicate the fear and suffering associated with death and, through this, triumph over its power forever.
Religious beliefs aside, such should be the sentiment of every rational human being. But no matter how intrinsically human the desire to be free from suffering and death is, the unfortunate truth is that euthanasia cannot be effectively legalized while at the same time preserving the value of life.