(April 7, 2024 at 11:08 am)h4ym4n Wrote: Death is a design flaw

Why sweat it? It's gonna happen.

(April 7, 2024 at 2:55 am)Belacqua Wrote: We live in an extremely liberal time, in which living one's own way is seen as the best thing. People will assert this as if it is dogmatically true.

Hi, Belacqua. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. 

I can't shake the suspicion that, regardless of time or place, living our own way is our only option. The reckless narcissistic hedonist and the devout religious ascetic live substantially different lives outwardly, but each one has inwardly answered the how-shall-I-live question in the same way: I live in the manner that seems best (or in the words you used above, is seen as the best). 

The religious man can (and often will) claim that he lives a life founded upon a set of principles that are objectively and unalterably true, but he has come to that conclusion in an entirely subjective manner: via his own experiences and understanding. This to me seems synonymous with "living one's own way."

(April 7, 2024 at 6:23 am)brewer Wrote: Can someone here define 'dying well'? To me, unless the person is in total control of their death (means/method) this sounds like fantasy. It may be interesting to discuss but I doubt it rarely happens no matter what culture the person lives/dies in.

I can't define it. Not today anyway. And I echo your sentiments about the element of control.

Speaking of fantasy, maybe it's time for me to resume my search for the fountain of youth.

(April 7, 2024 at 8:03 am)Belacqua Wrote: Humbert Humbert was free to live as he wanted, and not as others thought he should live, for a few years anyway.

I don't think very many people would say that he lived a good life.

You realize that he’s a fictional character, right?

Boru

(April 7, 2024 at 11:57 am)Jamie Boy Wrote:

(April 7, 2024 at 6:23 am)brewer Wrote: Can someone here define 'dying well'? To me, unless the person is in total control of their death (means/method) this sounds like fantasy. It may be interesting to discuss but I doubt it rarely happens no matter what culture the person lives/dies in.

I can't define it. Not today anyway. And I echo your sentiments about the element of control.

Speaking of fantasy, maybe it's time for me to resume my search for the fountain of youth.

At my age I simply want to slow the decline into decrepitude. (some think I'm there already)

Many of the contributors here have discussed this in the past but I'll ask you. In the event that you're facing an unpleasant death and still retain the faculties that would let you make a choice, have you thought of an exit plan?

Dying, well, it's not being alive.

I guess people who die, and stay dead have done it well. It's those shirking slackers who've been resuscitated that are the failures at the dieing.

(April 7, 2024 at 1:36 pm)brewer Wrote: In the event that you're facing an unpleasant death and still retain the faculties that would let you make a choice, have you thought of an exit plan?

I've not yet put much thought into it, brewer. My state of residence (California) does have an end-of-life option in place; so, I would have that option if I were on the receiving end of a terminal diagnosis.

(April 7, 2024 at 3:11 pm)Jamie Boy Wrote:

(April 7, 2024 at 1:36 pm)brewer Wrote: In the event that you're facing an unpleasant death and still retain the faculties that would let you make a choice, have you thought of an exit plan?

I've not yet put much thought into it, brewer. My state of residence (California) does have an end-of-life option in place; so, I would have that option if I were on the receiving end of a terminal diagnosis.

I suggest that at some point you consider creating a detailed living will.

I've had a living will on file at the VA hospital since I got married last time. I decided what was going to happen to me. Now she just has to nod at the right spots and things go the way I wanted them to go.