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Society seems to accept killing and suicide for a good cause. At the same time society has taboos on killing and suicide for self gain. We also seem to think that it is a taboo to ask for ones own death to accomplish a selfish cause. Selfish suicide is probably the greatest social and instinctive taboo there is.
The reason we have so much trouble dealing with suicide logically is the same as the reason why we have trouble dealing with abortion logically. There are no fine lines. It’s a gray area.
If people start offing themselves for reasons of pain, how much pain will make it acceptable? Does mental suffering count as pain, if so how do we evaluate it? How long does some one have to be in pain before suicide is acceptable?
As you see none of these questions can be answered with certainty. So what is the solution?
I believe assisted suicide should be a necessary evil until we can elevate the need for it in our society. Until the necessity for it is removed it each case should be handled by a group of wise and professional people.
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