prometeus

The right to life, does it exist, and what does it mean?
Is it the right to exist? To be born? To be maintained living? To be saved? To live as one pleases? Does it mean that "living" must have certain or any standards or just exist? Who is responsible for recognizing this right to life and who has the obligation to fulfill the "supporting" roles involved with the various aspects of this right?

If a right to life does exist, how and where is it recognized, is it explicit or implied? Is it a matter of law or just an ideal to be aspired to?

I think that human history demonstrates beyond any doubt that life has only meaning under certain conditions. "Give me liberty or give me death" amply supports that notion. Individuals, groups and entire societies have resorted to killing when it suited them, under the guise of the greater good if not outright desire for domination.

What role does "quality of life" play in this right? If one is not satisfied with the life one has does one or should one terminate it? Should that be a right too?

Felicity

I believe the US DoI states it's "self-evident." I agree with those guys.

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While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die. ~*Leonardo Da Vinci*~

prometeus

So does that mean we should have slaves then?

Korimyr the Rat

Cattle die and kinsmen die, and surely one day you will die, too. The "right to life" is a ridiculous fiction-- contradicted by the whole of human history, every government that has ever existed, the basis of all governmental authority, and biology itself.

Entities only have those rights which they can enforce. Entities which are not strong enough, either individually or collectively, have no rights at all-- save those extended to them by those who fight on their behalf.

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Ikari

People do die, this is true. But while we exist we have the right not to have our life prematurely snuffed out by another. While there are accidents, and all sorts of ways to die; no one has the right to purposefully take the life of another human without just cause (i.e. your own life being threatened). Rights always exist, it doesn't matter if they are upheld or acknowledged; rights being innate and inalienable can not be taken away. I will always have the right to life. That doesn't mean someone can't or won't infringe upon that right, but I always have it for as long as I draw breath. Force can be used to suppress rights, to infringe upon them; but nothing can take them away.

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WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Felicity

I don't recal the part of the DoI that mentioned slavery. Would you quote it for me?

prometeus

Naw, not worth it, you probably will not understand anyway...

Felicity

Like you don't understand the "self-evident" part?

prometeus

I am afraid it is you who does not understand that. If it was "self evident" how come slaves did not have it but now do, or women, or children?

Felicity

Just because the writers failed to "fully" appreciate the truth of what they wrote, does not mitigate the truth of their words. Obviously we've developed in our understanding of what is true, though the truth remains immutable. It was true then, that all men are created equal, as it is true today. Likewise, it was true then that the right to life is immutable though our understanding of it today (as evidenced by the barbaric act of homicide being tolerated as long as the victim is hidden in the womb) remains flawed.