If I knew I would spend the next 50 years in Guantanamo Bay and then die, I would probably choose to die before that could happen.
If I knew that I would spend the next 50 years in Guantanamo Bay and then medical science would be able to extend my life by at least 50 years, the decision would not be as clear-cut. Even if my life would only be extended 10 years but I would [meet the love of my life/make the discovery of a lifetime/other high-happiness circumstance], there would be a very difficult calculation involved.
I think the idea you’re describing relies on the assumption that death is not only inevitable, but that it’s going to happen relatively soon. I do agree that there are motivations beyond simply living for its own sake. However, I think that the idea that death could be better than some awful form of living assumes that no future opportunity to fulfill one’s motivations will occur. The chance of getting out of Guantanamo is worth a lot.
there would be a very difficult calculation involved
Absolutely, which is why I tried to give obvious cases (except for the blissful coma) which most people would agree is not worth it. I wasn’t trying to say that the calculation is easy, only that when you say that life is the ultimate good, you ignore the calculation altogether, which I don’t think is wise..
If I knew I would spend the next 50 years in Guantanamo Bay and then die, I would probably choose to die before that could happen.
If I knew that I would spend the next 50 years in Guantanamo Bay and then medical science would be able to extend my life by at least 50 years, the decision would not be as clear-cut. Even if my life would only be extended 10 years but I would [meet the love of my life/make the discovery of a lifetime/other high-happiness circumstance], there would be a very difficult calculation involved.
I think the idea you’re describing relies on the assumption that death is not only inevitable, but that it’s going to happen relatively soon. I do agree that there are motivations beyond simply living for its own sake. However, I think that the idea that death could be better than some awful form of living assumes that no future opportunity to fulfill one’s motivations will occur. The chance of getting out of Guantanamo is worth a lot.
Absolutely, which is why I tried to give obvious cases (except for the blissful coma) which most people would agree is not worth it. I wasn’t trying to say that the calculation is easy, only that when you say that life is the ultimate good, you ignore the calculation altogether, which I don’t think is wise..