What is the use of prolonging life which apathy turned into premature death?

Question

This is a philosophical question and calls for a philosophical answer. Thanks to all of you for sparing your valued time in thinking and sharing your great ideas and opinions. Have a great day!

Answer 1

Hi Third P.

You ask a very interesting question.

I personally know one person like that, and his mother was like that also. In addition, in my line of work, I have come across people like that.

Someone who has complete apathy truly is suffering a living death. To have no interests whatsoever, to not care about anything one way or another makes for a life that does seem already dead. As a matter of fact, many people like this do eventually become suicidal.They, themselves often see the emptiness of their lives.

It is a strange feeling to know a person who has complete apathy. They have no interests, no point of view on anything in life, don't care what happens in any area of life. It truly is as if they are not alive, except for the basic physical ways of living. They are, indeed, in a premature death.

I, myself, cannot imagine living like this. I am now bedridden from disabling illness for the past 3 years. Yet I have a full life, friends, interests, things that matter to me, people I care about, a life with quality. The person I mentioned earlier who has complete apathy cannot imagine living as I do. To him, he would then truly have no use for this life. As a matter of fact, his sister is the same way. I spoke to her the other day, the first time in about 9 years. Her attitude towards me was that it was I who had a premature death, She even alluded to the fact that mine was not a life worth living. When I assured her that it was the opposite, that I had a full, rich life, she asked, "how could you." She said this with almost anger in her voice. She said, "how can there be any quality to your life?"

Of course a person whose apathy has put them into a premature death could never perceive how a physically debilitated person could have a life of quality. That's because THEY do not have a life of quality.

However, getting back to what you ask — what is the use of prolonging their lives? We should definitely prolong their lives, just as my life should be prolonged. Actually my life, as physically limited as it is, seems far more valuable to prolong. However, the key word is "seems." These people are also sick, albeit psychologically so.

They suffer from what is called "dysphoria," a state of dissatisfaction with life, a disinterest. There is absolutely nothing that interests people like this. But believe me, these people do suffer. The ones who are unaware of their illness suffer from the complete boredom/ennui of their existence. They trudge along through their meaningless lives, just waiting for life to finish itself.

Those who ARE aware that they are ill may suffer even more. That's because they have become aware that there is a lot in this world; yet they can't seem to find a way to get interested in anything. The emptiness of their lives becomes so vivid to them. They often do become suicidal, believing, as you ask, that there is no use in prolonging their lives.

This extreme state of apathy, which seems to have caused a living death is part of many psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders and mood disorders. People who suffer this, as well as the people who know them, often do not recognize that there is a psychiatric disorder. People who are like this may suffer from depression, bi-polar disorder and several character disorders.

The important thing to remember is that this state of complete apathy is part of a legitimate illness, no less important than any physical disorder. As a matter of fact, in many cases, it IS a physical disorder, which can often be treated with medication, along with talking therapy.

The use of prolonging such a life is the same as prolonging any other life, regardless of how sick the person is. We are all living beings, with souls, and we all belong to God. It is up to Him to determine when it is our time to die. It is up to us, as intelligent humans, to try to help each person be as comfortable as possible, even in sickness, physical or psychological.

Some of these people who suffer from complete apathy are this way as a result of severe childhood trauma, Others are this way due to a chemical imbalance. Either way, they can be treated; and, in many cases, may come to live a life that is much improved.

Why prolong ANY life? Because we were given the intelligence to do so, and it is not up to us to decide when to end anyone's life.

Hitler took it upon himself to decide who was worthy to live. He first started by destroying all the mentally impaired people. He then destroyed the physically impaired people. He then destroyed anyone who was homosexual. And, finally, he began to destroy people based upon their religions. This is what happens when one man/person gets the power to make such decisions, or when a government gets this power.

How do we decide who should die, and when? Do we say someone who is too elderly to function well. Does that include people with Alzheimers Disease, who eventually become totally apathetic? Yes, in many cases, it may seem like a premature death. But is this reason enough for us to take their lives?

No, I do not believe that. If we were to start that with one group of people, where would we draw the line? Wouldn't it become too easy, then, to include another similar group of people?

Alzheimers paients have complete apathy, it seems. I say "it seems" because we do not actually know what is going on in the minds of these patients. Maybe they can hear us and are unable to speak or respond in any way. That is the same thing that will happen to patients who have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), or Lou Gehrig's Disease. They become totally unable to respond, yet their minds remain completely intact.

Other people, as I mentioned earlier, are intact physically; but due to psychiatric reasons, suffer from complete apathy. There a million ways a person can be ill, yet it is not for us to determine when or why they should die.

We did not actually create life — God did. With a physical act, we are able to bring life into this world; but it is a miracle that allows us to do so.

It is not for us to determine that it is someone's time to die.

Peace.

Answer 2

In this situation, there is utility in hope for change in the future. Apathy and negative emotion directed towards the trials and turbulence that sometimes describes life is usually short lived. Nothing stays the same. And, we never lose ALL hope. If it can not be readily seen, a glimmer can be found, if and when we want to find it, and is at least demonstrable by our choice to live; contuining to exist, persisting, and enduring even in the face of apathy. If there is hope, all other self-attributive characteristics can and will eventually be found and drawn upon to breathe change, and thus, new life into a premature death brought on by circumstantial apathy.

Answer 3

'What is the use of prolonging life which apathy turned into premature death?' ? Such a question is a statement in its self such as this 'humans are only a means to an end for other humans, they are prattle and product to be bought and sold'. And there is the cause for your apathy. You may shorten your life a year or ten or you may die tomorrow in battle, the choice is yours. The Taliban are looking for recruits.


The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.

Answer 4

the more life you add, the more death you remove.

if you value life over death, then prolonging life should be your preference.

and over time, you can change apathy. change "not care" into "not worry".

it's only a little bit but it took a long time to sum up life and death and produce that. enjoy! =)

Answer 5

This sob story is hard to swallow. On one hand, there is the life, or the sanctity of life, and the other a living death. Most cups of tea would call for the life to end, at first. Then sentiment and greed are said to overwhelm with emotions of due sainthood.

Quite a sublime series, these euthanasian ones.

Answer 6

The use of prolonging life is for the simple reason that apathy can be reversed.

Answer 7

Rosanne Barr. i'm a unfastened spirit who likes to speak the reality & each so often I piss human beings off with the aid of fact of that although this is the reality. i think of she is gentle & clever & loves her little ones & will pay interest & thinks alot & she is a scorpio like me so we are alot alike yet i'm no longer as humorous. I had a no longer basic existence even though it has gotten alot greater under my administration as I actually are transforming into older. My psychological wellness is greater perfect than hers yet i've got not got her money so there are tradeoffs yet we are alot alike.

Answer 8

So that my children will have a mother.

My question to you friend is "How does one regain the will to live when life has lost all it's color and everything tastes the same?"

To quote the BeeGees: "How can you mend a broken heart?"

Answer 9

Prolongling such a life would be a test in itself against all odds.

Answer 10

what about individual desires? doesn't this matter? isn't it "their life?"