Duty to Die

Duty to Die

A duty to die can be described as the autonomy a patient has to refuse taking treatments or medication. John Hardwig supports the argument that as patients we have a duty to die yet he doesn’t select just one type of person who has this right. There are a variety of situations that give evidence to his position, “On this view, you should decide by yourself whether you have a duty to die and approach your loved ones only after you have made up your mind to say good-bye to them”(Hardwig 516). This is significant to his argument portraying that he believes in family decisions but ultimately it is up to the person themselves. He starts off his reasons by claiming that we create more responsibilities for other people. We are less capable of taking care of ourselves as we become older which relates to being a burden on others. That if you lived your life contently with minimal complaints there should be no need to suffer or have people sacrifice their time for your well-being. Hardwig advises that it would be unreasonable to ask for financial help from loved ones especially if that family cannot afford the expenses. John Hardwigs perspective on this topic proves some understandable points particularly when he points out that we are less capable of taking ourselves as we age therefore it results to financial expenses we do or don’t have. Yet my point of view opposes that of Hardwigs by relating to a personal experience. My grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which causes the gradual inability to speak or move. My family was responsible for paying for the hospital and nursing home for the months he was there. In Hardwigs case, he would exclaim that in this case my grandfather has a duty to die because he led a successful life and would have to ask for financial support. As family it is our duty to do everything in our power for our family to heal from sickness and elongate their lives even if it is for just one month. This is the same thing if someone...

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