The proposition is “if A then B.”
Jsgoddess replies, “Well, A but not B in my case, therefore the proposition is false.”
You come back with “SINCE if A then B, then: if not B, then not A.”
“If A then B” has NOT been established… it is the very point we are discussing.
You see the problem?
What’s more, I think jsgoddess is more of an authority on what she really wants and really doesn’t want than you are.
I don’t want to be kept alive in a persistent vegetative state, but I do not have a living will. I do have a husband with whom I’ve discussed the matter at length, and although the Schiavo case would tend to disprove it, my husband is my next of kin and decision maker. My mother is my next next of kin and she knows and agrees with my wishes as well. My next next next of kin is, I’m assuming, one or all of my siblings. They know and agree with my wishes.
If I were to go into the ER and tell them to do whatever they can, I would assume and hope that my directives at that time would override any living will they might have on file. People get to change their minds, after all.
Bollocks. I’m just friggin lazy and have’t gotten around to it. Plus I’m broke and don’t want to spend the cash on something I may not need for 40 years. On what basis is yours the default setting?
But I do want everything done to keep me alive if I go to the ER. I’m healthy and 29, and I’m likely to survive anything that gets thrown my way. Once it becomes clear that I’m not going to be able to participate in my life anymore, though, I want the plug pulled.
Remember, Terri’s fate was probably sealed on the night of her incident, but there really wasn’t a way to know that until a few months down the road. The CT findings that clinch the diagnosis now took years to develop. It doesn’t make sense to still be keeping her alive today, but that doesn’t mean letting her die in the emergency room would have been a good idea, either.
That’s why I’m a little wary of having a DNR at my age as well. I think a DNR makes more sense for the elderly than the young, but I agree that once it becomes obvious that life is basically over, pull the treatment.
Very interesting post. What is best for Schiavo? Forget about the combatants and try to understand. As a near death experiencer I know that most experiencers want to die, they don’t want to be revived because of the love and peace they feel in the experience. But we Americans are so fearful and ignorant of death we will do almost anything to live a few minutes or days longer. Other societies, ancient and modern, don’t share our morbid fear of this subject.
It is my personal belief she would rather die, but it is not my decision, and I am grateful for that. It is also very hard to allow someone to die that is awake and reacts to people around her. This is an important lesson for all, it makes us think about what we would do, hopefully putting us in serious thought about the subject of death.
We must all let go of life eventually, as well as letting go of loved ones that precede us. God gives us freedom of choice, when we can no longer exercise that choice, what choice would you have others make for you. Think about it and make plans now.
I also think Congress will act to save her, on their level this is the right thing to do. However it ends is unknown at this time.
Exactly. And as long as lawmakers insist on seeing withdrawal of support as fundamentally different from failing to start support in the first place, families are put in a horrible bind. Mom’s had a massive stroke - do you dare authorize supportive measures, knowing that the government may later attempt to prevent them from being withdrawn if you decide they’re not helping her? Or do you do nothing up front, let Mom die right away, and live with the knowledge that you’ll never know for sure if she might have in fact improved with more aggressive care? If the 'pro-life" faction in Congress and the Florida legislature have their way, the sensible approach - start supportive measures immediately, see how things go, and withdraw support later if they don’t go well - may not be a viable option.
I had never considered that possible repercussion.
Of course, for it to be a repercussion, people have to view the situations that way. Do you see that as likely?
Yes, at least among the the more politically-aware segment of the population. Obviously the people who aren’t paying much attention to the whole Schiavo circus won’t be influenced by it when they’re put in the position of needing to make decisions about a loved one’s care.