Does The Human Race Take Death Too Seriously?

[dave50]

Not on a personal level of course, I mean in general as creature of this planet. Is trying to keep everyone alive as long as possible at whatever the cost to the rest of the population and of course the planet, logical or sustainable? As medicine becomes more advanced, people will be able to be kept alive for longer and longer no matter what their ailments or disability. Do we need to become more accepting of the inevitability of death as part of life rather than trying to constantly defeat it?

[Mozz71]

I think everyone accepts death will happen, but there's no need to stand by and let it happen. Live as long as you can, as long as you're healthy and comfortable.

[margarettom]

Unfortunately Mozz it doesn’t work like that. Some people are kept alive for many years, when they are neither healthy or comfortable.

[pixie374]

Most people see it on a personal level, because many times, it is. I think there is often little sight or care about the bigger picture. It's a world of individuals.

[Ken4155]

My dad always maintained that if he ever became a liability, he would rather just slip away. When, in 2008, he was diagnosed with cancer (75), that's more or less what he did.
A few years later, after suffering from heart trouble for much of her life, my mother chose DNR should she suffer yet another heart attack while in hospital. And, on 16 March 2012, my bother and i had to abide by her wishes. She was a few months short of her 75th.
I do believe that both would have absolutely hated being kept alive if their quality of life wasn't worth the effort.

[Peter Pedant]

mushie is anthropologist - (*) I bet she has an interesting opinion.
Preoccupation with death is characteristic of human behaviour innit?
Cue prehistoric burials showing respect for dead and grave goods showing a belief in the after life

(*) cue 500 x one liners: anthropotoblist ? what dat den etc etc)

[barry1010]

Treatment is withdrawn where it is considered to be in the best interests of the patient or where the patient made a decision before they became ill.
If the patient has family their views will be taken in to account, along with the Lasting Power of Attorney if there is one.
The NHS no longer has to apply to court for permission to withdraw treatment if the family or LPA consents, which is a huge change in attitude.

There have been a few court cases recently where the family has tried to stop the withdrawal of treatment. I can understand that - where there is life, there is hope and it must be a very difficult decision to end the life of a loved one.

[naomi24]

It’s hard for people to align themselves with the rest of nature and accept that everything dies eventually. That said, I think we’re often cruel to those about to take their final breath - and all in the name of so-called humanity and morality. If we treated animals the way we treat sick and vulnerable humans we’d be prosecuted.

[pixie374]

Yes, I don't think anyone should be able to override someone else's wishes, relative or not, whether it's about treatment or organ donation.
However, making a decision when you are well... also may not be the same one you would make when ill. Survival is a strong instinct, and people manage to live with many conditions and disabilities and illnesses, that they might not have thought they could, in advance.

[rowanwitch]

I am a believer in the cycle of life and death, being the same for every living thing. I am not afraid of death b ut have concerns that dying may not be as I would wish. The likelihood being I will have no living relatives when the time approaches and may be helpless at the hands of others. I do have an advance directive in my hospital notes which I should update. I also have copies in my files at home ( as well as copies of my transplant opt out. I worked with transplant patients. I do not want to be donor or recipient. My decision isn't based on religious beliefs but personal experience.

[goodlife]

In the Bible, Death is clearly explained. Furthermore, the Bible not only reveals why we die but also explains the condition of the dead and offers hope for our deceased loved ones. Finally, it speaks of a momentous time when it will be possible to report: Death is swallowed up forever.”—1 Corinthians 15:54.
Millions today are getting a clear understanding of death and the hope for the dead can change your whole outlook on life, for those who want it of course.

[Peter Pedant]

come on come on
every one know 1 Cor 15 55 and it is NOT as above

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
as per John Donne 1620

[Canary42]

My Mum suffered a perforated bowel after diverticulitis at the age on 94. Her first 24 hours in hospital were awful, and she kept moaning "let me die" but, in spite of the triage Consultant's offhand "mark DNR" decision, a couple of young surgeons decided to act, and after discovering via scans etc that the bowel had re-sealed itself they (via a clever piece of keyhole surgery under local anaesthetic) drained her polluted peritoneum and treated her with antibiotics and cured her. When she queried it with one of the surgeons as to why they bothered with such a old person, he replied "You still have a good quality of life". She then lived a happy life for several more years.