# If life is optional then why live? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 13, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261 "2017-09-13T18:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/1 "2017-09-13T18:20:09Z")
I say this because it occurred to me that (for the most part), everything in life is optional, in that we don’t have to do any of it. If that is the case then why live? Why not choose death and not have to involve yourself with any of the factors of life. You would avoid the search for meaning or the process of making it, and joy would not have to be a concern for you any longer. I know some would say that the journey of living is why they stay alive, but when you die you don’t have to concern yourself with that. Or have to learn anything, do anything, it’s just rest forever. So in that case, what makes it logical to live when it seems like death is the better option. Especially considering how turbulent and chaotic life can be. Why bother with it when there is no need to? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/2 "2017-09-13T18:28:42Z")
I enjoy life, and look forward to many future activities. I experience lots of love and joy and pleasure. For those reasons I plan to continue existing, as it’s been a positive for me so far. ---
**Author:** ![Machinaforce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/3 "2017-09-13T18:33:40Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I enjoy life, and look forward to many future activities. I experience lots of love and joy and pleasure. For those reasons I plan to continue existing, as it’s been a positive for me so far. Except such things are only a factor when one is alive, when you are dead you don’t have to involve yourself with them anymore. In fact it could be said that such factors are what blind one from how much more logical death is. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/4 "2017-09-13T18:36:27Z")
As **iiandyiiii** indicated, there is an element of “looking forward”. Your very OP poses a question in hopes of answers, or in the very least discussions. This in and of itself is a forward looking action - posting a question on a message board. So, you have demonstrated your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/5 "2017-09-13T18:40:39Z")
Just popping in to drop off this info: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/6 "2017-09-13T18:43:12Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > I say this because it occurred to me that (for the most part), everything in life is optional, in that we don’t have to do any of it. If that is the case then why live? Why not choose death and not have to involve yourself with any of the factors of life. You would avoid the search for meaning or the process of making it, and joy would not have to be a concern for you any longer. I know some would say that the journey of living is why they stay alive, but when you die you don’t have to concern yourself with that. Or have to learn anything, do anything, it’s just rest forever. So in that case, what makes it logical to live when it seems like death is the better option. Especially considering how turbulent and chaotic life can be. Why bother with it when there is no need to? Are you expecting a different answer from when [you asked this same question last year?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=808888) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/7 "2017-09-13T18:44:24Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > I say this because it occurred to me that (for the most part), everything in life is optional, in that we don’t have to do any of it. If that is the case then why live? If everything in life is optional, then why not pick and choose which things you’ll say yes to and which things you’ll say no to, rather than saying no to everything all at once? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/8 "2017-09-13T18:45:48Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > Except such things are only a factor when one is alive, when you are dead you don’t have to involve yourself with them anymore. In fact it could be said that such factors are what blind one from how much more logical death is. I enjoy involving myself in them. Desiring death is not logical when life is positive and enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/9 "2017-09-13T18:47:50Z")
> [@Machinaforce](#): > > If that is the case then why live? To live is an awefully big adventure. -Peter Pan Also, milkshakes. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-optional-then-why-live/796261/10 "2017-09-13T18:50:32Z")
[moderating] I’m not seeing how this thread is different than this one: [IS life a curse?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=808888) Which was closed with the following message: > [@Why stay alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-stay-alive/762317/97): > > **Machinaforce** , this is a debate forum, not a “_I wanna make a whiny observation and then simply deny every attempt to engage me_” forum. > > Given that pretty nearly all life forms actually do make an effort to continue to live, that is the default biological programming. Since you have not actually provided a reason why anyone should stop living (in more than a whiny “it’s ha-a-a-ard” expression), you should have placed this in the IMHO forum. The nineteenth and early 20th century Existentialists did this much better than you have. However, since you have already gotten over two pages of responses, here, I am not going to inflict it on the Mods, there. > Instead, I am simply going to close this thread. If you want to make a reasoned and logical case for not living, you may open a new thread, here, but I will judge whether it is serious and close it if it is not. If you simply want to repeat this performance, open your new thread in IMHO. > > [/Moderating] Or this one: [Why stay alive?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=800906) Which was closed with the following message: > [@IS life a curse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-life-a-curse/770040/187): > > Perhaps, but plenty of folks have made a good-faith effort to try to respond thoughtfully, and that effort hasn’t been returned by you, in my view. As such, this thread is being put to bed. I hope you ultimately find what you’re seeking, but it’ll have to be outside of this message board. While this is the forum for witnessing, I don’t think that’s what this is. I’m going to say the best information you are going to get is from post #5, if that’s applicable. I’m closing this. If it persists, we will see about posting privileges. [/moderating]