People should be allowed to commit suicide

Firstly, as to terminally ill patients, they definitely have the right to commit suicide. They will die within 6 months or less, and therefore, as they will die so soon anyway, they have the right to end their lives to stop that suffering. However, I do not simply believe that terminally ill patients are the only people who have the right to commit suicide. As I did originally intend to, I will go back to the argument of depression or other mental damage. Overall, terminally ill patients definitely have the right to commit suicide, but I believe that people who are mentally damaged have the same right. We are not here to debate whether emotional or physical pain hurts more although that would be an interesting topic. However, since my opponent used that quote from Professor Lewis Wolpert, and terminally ill patients has naturally come as a topic; I'd just like to mention that a newspaper article did find that emotional pain did hurt more than physical pain. If people do have the right to commit suicide when they are terminally ill, then why should they not be able to commit suicide when they are emotionally disturbed even though the emotional pain can be worse. I just wanted to bring up that point as my opponent used that quote. Overall, if emotional pain can be worse than physical pain, people should have the right to commit suicide when experiencing emotional pain. As to the fact of legalizing controversial issues, I'd agree that we shouldn't just change our laws if someone doesn't believe in them. However, the controversy should be considered. Also, through consideration people would see all of the positive benefits about how suffering can be ended and make for a happier society. Overall, people shouldn't legalize suicide just because there is controversy however it should be considered. As to the dropping a bomb example, I'd just like to comment on how a person with strong morals might suffer and feel after this incident. There may be someone who really didn't want to do it, but they were forced into it. When they were flying over all it was was a button, they couldn't foresee all of the negative consequences that would come as a result of this. Then they press the button, and the bomb activates. Then on the news the next day that person might see all of the people that they've killed. They might see all of the families ripped apart and all of the building in flames that were once people's homes. Since they have strong morals, no matter how many times they're told it's not their fault they might not be able to get beyond the fact that they've caused all of these deaths. They may try all of the things my opponent said for a few years. After a few years if there is no progression, and the person can still not see beyond the fact that they killed all of these people; then they do have the right to commit suicide. Overall, in cases like someone dropping a bomb and destroying lives if nothing else works, that person does have the right to commit suicide. As to others committing suicide because one person committed suicide, firstly Id say maybe this isn't such a bad thing. Maybe there were people suffering every day, and then they saw someone commit suicide, and that encouraged them to do what was best for them. Maybe in the end the rise in suicide rates could be a good thing as maybe they gained the confidence to do what was right for them. Also, secondly, I don't think people should not commit suicide just because others might. It's their own personal suffering, and they shouldn't have to live with that. The person who's going to commit suicide shouldn't be stopped by the fact that other people might commit suicide after them. It's not the person committing suicides fault for other people's decisions. The other people can make their own decisions. Something that other people might not even do should not stop someone from committing suicide. This possibility doesn't make sense as a reason for someone not to commit suicide. Also, if it was made into a law, it would be unfair for entertainers not to be able to commit suicide while regular people can just because they're entertainers. Overall, the possibility of others committing suicide should not prevent someone from committing suicide. Parents who raised a child should be able to see that committing suicide is best for the child. It may be the hardest thing in the world for these parents, but if they truly love their child they have to see that it's what's best for the child. Anything else would be selfish on behalf of the parents. No matter how hard it is for the parents to let go of the child that they love they need to see that its for the good of the child. Overall, it would be selfish for parents to keep their children from committing suicide, and therefore, that is not a good reason for suicide to be banned. The physical example that my opponent used I do not believe is a good metaphor for this situation. Not progressing with therapy to the point where you should be able to commit suicide is like exercising each day and then ruining the results by eating a sugary dessert right afterwards. If your weight goes down while exercising even if it's just a little at a time, and you still feel unhealthy, but you feel a little less then that's progress. Wanting to kill yourself a little less is progress. If there is progress, you should not commit suicide. However, it's in situations like if you exercise, and then eat a lot of sugary foods afterwards where there is no progress. Also, the letter is the most that the person can do. The family will get over the loss where the person may never get over their suffering. The letter might help the family grieve just a little less, and the person killing themselves cannot do any more than that. At least that way they've helped their family as much as they possibly can. Overall, people should be able to commit suicide if there is no progress at all. No, I do not believe influencing others to commit suicide is indirectly killing them. This is the difference between the drunk driving. There is choice in the matter. Someone who gets hit by a drunk driver had no choice. However, someone has a choice whether to be influenced by someone else in this matter. Anything that the people have a choice in is not indirect killing. Therefore, I do not believe that that is indirectly killing them. Overall, I do not believe that letting someone commit suicide is irresponsible. It is simple morally correct and helps to end suffering. People overall should be allowed to commit suicide to end their own suffering as they shouldn't have to cope with that. There were several flaws in my opponent's argument. Overall, committing suicide is right as there is suffering that nobody should have to deal with. Sources: http://goo.gl...