The right to die?

[TheLastStarFighter]

Zkuq said:

TheLastStarFighter said:

If someone is physically well but mentally sick and wanting to kill themselves, would you not take any and all steps to save them?  As humans, I believe it is our responsibility to do so.  I see no ethical difference in physical illness.  At the same time I see the moral strength in allowing someone to kill themselves if they are in pain or suffering, I just feel it is morally inconsistant, which is something I strive for, and as such my stance is against euthanasia.  I could be convinced otherwise - I have heard the passionate story of a woman who's husband suffered for years - but have yet to hear an agrument that allows me fully say euthanasia is "right" and should be legal.

If the circumstances are clear, everyone should have the right to die. I wouldn't grant the right to freely die to just any lunatic but at the very least, if the suffering can't be cured, the person should have the right to die - no matter what kind the illness is. It just requires that the person understands what's going on in all ways. As far as I'm concerned, euthanasia is just aided suicide and anyone can commit suicide. Well, in practice, I'd guess most of the people wanting euthasia can't actually commit suicide themselves but would if they could. I just hope it's clear to you that euthanasia and murder aren't the same thing, morally or otherwise.

Of course I know that murder and euthanasia are different things.  I hope that you understand that a person requesting to be killed is a compex issue, and that as a society we assist someone to prevent suicide if they are mentally ill but we are conisidering assisting them in suicide if they are physically ill, and this would be a mixed message.