Quote:
Originally Posted by SecretMethod70
So, it is completely correct I think to say that a person has the RIGHT to take their own life. Because it is THEIR life and there is no other person of higher authority to have control over it.
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This is what I said, more or less. The thing I didn't like about the word "right" is that it presupposes a bestowal upon me by a higher entity, such as a government, of a power of action which I am subsequently
entitled to. E.g, the "right to vote".
What I'm trying to say is that the power you have to end your own life is more basic---"primeval" if you will---than some concept of "right". For instance, in most countries, suicide is illegal. As such, you don't have the "right" to end your life, while clearly you can and should be able to decide that for yourself.
We fully agree on the overall issue here. All I am saying is that "right" is not the correct concept to use.