On September 13, the National Ethics Advisory Committee opened the door to “active care in dying.” In October, Emmanuel Macron will launch a “Citizens’ Convention on the end of life” and will let it be understood that he will not oppose the legalization of euthanasia. I am resolutely in favor of it, for seven reasons.
On September 13, the National Ethics Advisory Committee opened the door to “active care in dying.”
In October, Emmanuel Macron will launch a “Citizens’ Convention on the end of life” and will let it be understood that he will not oppose the legalization of euthanasia. I am resolutely in favor of it, for seven reasons. The first is that the so-called “voluntary” euthanasia (because it is requested by the patient himself) is only medically assisted suicide.
However, I am convinced, like most non-religious philosophers, that the right to die is part of our fundamental freedoms. On this I could quote almost all the ancient thinkers, but I would content myself with Montaigne, who sums up his message.
“The most beautiful gift that nature has given us is having left us the key to the fields,” he wrote. And to add: “God gives us enough permission, when he puts us in such a state that living it is worse than dying.”
The right to leave is a human right.
Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide is not a matter of dignity but of freedom.
Montaigne obviously does not ignore the biblical prohibition (“Thou shalt not kill”). But, he observes, “just as I do not violate the laws against thieves when I take my money out of my purse, nor those against arsonists when I burn my wood, so I am not bound by the laws against murderers.” . for taking my life.” This is my second reason: my life belongs to me; therefore, I have the right to interrupt it if I wish.
Furthermore, the third reason, suicide, as Robert Badinter points out, is in no way a crime. Why would assisted suicide be one? I will be told that I can commit suicide without the need of a law or medical assistance for that. Certainly when I am physically able and in good health.
But, this is my fourth reason, the request for euthanasia is only justified in situations where[…]