Imagine someone you love asking you to harm a stranger, threatening to harm themselves if you refuse. This hypothetical scenario forces us to confront our moral compass and examine our valuation of life.
Similar situations arise not only in war but also in everyday life, among friends, at work, and within families. The fundamental question is: who has the authority to decide what is right? Since there may be disagreement on what constitutes right and wrong, we may wonder whether it is still worthwhile to consider the ethics of life and death choices.
If we believe that all lives are equal, how do we determine that equality? Is it based on economic contribution or potential contribution?
If all lives are truly equal, we should not have to demonstrate our worth from the outset, as everyone is equally important. Although I am fortunate enough to be free from discrimination, I recognize that the world will continue to function even after my demise. This is both harsh and beautiful.
When we try to prevent someone from committing suicide, we are demonstrating an effort to balance the value of the lives involved. However, this implies that there was no balance to begin with. Should we then strive to make all lives equal? This seems challenging because we would have to give up making judgments about good and evil. It may be difficult to reach agreement on anything if everyone’s opinions are given equal weight.
Creating absolute equality for everyone could lead to the domination of a single viewpoint and the suppression of diverse perspectives. Instead, we should strive to create a system in which people participate voluntarily.
Returning to the original scenario, assisting a loved one should involve helping them to see the value of participating in life, even if it means making concessions.
If you ever need assistance, please reach out to a professional.