The desire to live

The desire to live

In man's earlier history it was quite common to place a baby that didn't look right behind a bush to die. To do this simply because they have an extra toe, or some minor malformed part seems shocking in modern times. Having a cosmetic problem is one thing, but we worry about those that will never be able to look after themselves – never become independent. Can we afford to have a disproportionate number of individuals that will never reach independence? If the number of those needing twenty-four-hour care is too high, it would place an unsustainable strain on the rest. This can lead us to consider what the priorities are in our society. Ever greater numbers are reliant on artificial insemination. More opt for caesareans than in the past. All this makes us wonder what will happen in times of global crisis.

Some people stand out as rather different. We may label them as defective or handicapped, yet most appear to be perfectly happy. Sometimes happier than the average individual. They show a desire to live albeit through body language and gestures rather than the spoken word. The desire to live need not depend on our ability to attest to it. Life-changing events can make us think a lot about the desire to live. Our goals, desires and dreams enhance our desire to live. Having a desire to live is everything. Personal, individual yet universal. However, this desire may wane occasionally.

If you appreciate someone’s desire to live, you might also be appreciative of someone's desire to die. When life becomes an absolute chore with each day getting progressively worse, this desire to live can evaporate. If the balance of pain and reward swings markedly towards the suffering end of the scale, then one may not want to tolerate it anymore. We can have less appetite for life when 23 hours of the day are grim. However, if there is any doubt then the ignorance paradox will imply that euthanasia is not the course to take.

If murder became legal the murder rate would rise for sure but having a right to life does not stop us killing one another. The laws stop some murders and take murderers off the streets. However, the majority are not hesitant about killing someone just because they are afraid of the repercussions or fearful of any punishment that comes after. We do not refrain from killing simply because we accept someone’s right to live. Our ability to recognise that another person wants to live is paramount. We empathise and understand their desire to live. Understanding our own desire to live helps too. We see the fear and distress on someone’s face when they are threatened. We read the signals that indicate that someone wants to be left unharmed. Only the minority, the psychopaths don't care.

The idea of ‘do onto others as you would have others do onto you’ is a self-centred way of looking at things. Twisting and changing sayings can be rather wearisome but, in this case, there is some merit in doing so. “Do onto others the way they want to be done onto.” Our actions are often guided by what we think is right based on the choices we would make for ourselves. What you like does not always correspond to what other people like. You may love to have grapes brought to you when you are ill, other people may prefer something different. Maybe a banana or a big bar of chocolate. Have we properly consulted the other person to find out what they want? The notion goes far beyond selecting a fruit and reaches into serious decisions, but that example is an easy way to illustrate the principle. It is about respecting the desires of others rather than focusing on our own individual wants and wishes. Taking a few days off work to grieve might suit you, but for others they may benefit from the distraction and sense of purpose that work gives them. It all depends on the individual. Ask and listen, properly listen. Look at it from their position, their point of view.