Can you provide a philosophical rationale to explain why life is or is not worth living? If you think life is worth living, why do you think that? If you don't think life is worth living, what keeps you from committing suicide?
I'd think if one had a family, friends or relitives that would miss them then they should stick around for them as much as for themselves. If one had no one that cared for them and didn't see the point of continuing then they should seek professional help quickly to get help in understanding why they feel suicidal and if something can't be done to help them.
No, probably not. Because there's probably a gazillion differing thoughts on the value of life ...dependent on the person and their situation. Very wealthy people might see the people in the slums of India and consider that a life like that can't be worth living. And to the rich man, it might be true. But to the poverty-stricken Indian, he probably doesn't even know any better life, so he's moderately content. My own life, right now, is worth living because I enjoy my retirement so much that I'm happier'n a pig in the mud on a hot Texas day. But I'm an old fart, so pretty soon some of my parts might stop working well, I might be in horrific pain. At which time, I'll reassess whether my life is worth living under those conditions. Time varies everything ...including the value of life. Baron Max
Now that is really, really hitting below the belt!! I can't think of anything worse you could have called me. And I'm going to write to one of those moderator-things to have you banned for life ....and all of your children, too! Baron Max
HA! That's a twist, I always thought it.... Couldn't be happier then a pig in shit!Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Value is too subjective. What I value and what you value are too different to be comparable. Taking value out of the equation, you wind up with something similar to,"Does life have a purpose?" The answer is simply no. More complex answer delves into the realms of personal beliefs and whatnot. In the absence of any sort of spirituality, merely the purpose of meat and water bags, I suppose you could argue that procreation and the care for one's progeny would be a purpose, survival of the species and all that. But I like simplicity. No. Life has no purpose, and thus, no value.
cosmictraveler- Aren't psychologists only going to give a person psychotherapy in order for them to develop a sense of self that will allow them to live in the illusion of their own self-worth? Baron Max- If the question of whether or not life is worth living is relative, then how should a person make themselves relatively happy? I know you can't give specifics, but can you give a method or perspective? Swarm- Saying life precedes worth insinuates that a person should abandon the "why" of existence entirely and probably adhere to science. In that case, is the best option for a person who can't find value in life to see a psychiatrist or neuroscientist in order to receive treatment to get a better neurochemical state? Now, if you say yes, what do you say to people who are unable to abandon the "why" of existence, the question of whether or not life is worth living? Do those people just need drugs and that is all there is to it? Mr. Hamtastic- So if life has no purpose, why shouldn't a person commit suicide?
Eidolan-that depends. If an individual has subjectively placed value on their life or some aspect of it, then they shouldn't. If there is no value, even subjectively, why shouldn't a person commit suicide, indeed?
Well, many of those who killed themselves thought NOT. Perhaps they changed their minds after, if they had minds then or if they remembered.
I don't even know where to begin. I would just be writing pages and pages of things I love doing and seeing. Everything about life is amazing, I would live if all I could do is look upon a nice landscape, or listen to natures music. jusst being able to think is enough for me to want to live. But if I was deaf, dumb, blind and handicap I guess it would suck alot. but I would still want to live I think. Look t all of the things we can do and experience its beyond words, just look up at the stars at night, or climb a mountain and look down upon forests, lakes glades and plains. there is so many things to do and to see. I need atleast 10 thousand yers just to enjoy earth to about 10%. Damn life is great. peace.
My friends keep me from committing suicide, I fear that without them I'd be dead by now. Currently though life is pretty okay so I'd say your life is made worth living by the people you love.
No such insinuation was implied. I'm not prescribing actions, I'm observing the order of things. The best option I would say is to create your worth and let go of your concern. Worth is not found, it is created. Concern about worth is a seperate issue, uneeded suffering.
Life is worth living because it seems to be your only chance to experience anything. It is true that answering this question in the affirmative depends on valuing something, which is a subjective enterprise. I have no idea how I could ever really convince someone else to value something. For instance, if you do not value pleasure... I do not know how to change your mind about that. If you do not value your life and your oppurtunity to experience stuff, I'm not sure how to convince you otherwise. I guess I could say, "Give life a try, I bet you won't want to give it up afterwards."
