DatYuriThough wrote...
I'm sorry but that is...very naive. Put himself through pain so what? His family can watch him suffer for years on end? How is that any better? That's not better, it's cruel. I doubt they would be happy for that. And I really wouldn't consider him selfish, he's dying regardless. They're losing him regardless. At least this way he can be happy how he spent his last moments.
No, it is far from naive. There are people who can't bare the thought of losing their loved ones. For that very reason, the terminally ill fight on to live even but a few more years to keep them happy. This situation can be most commonly scene in patients with inoperable cancer. Everyone is different when it comes to a reaction with regards to death. That is why I mentioned the subjectivity on the matter with how it can be viewed. On one hand, one might see that it is selfish of loved ones to keep terminally ill alive and selfless on them to let them pass on. On the other hand, one might see that it is selfish of the terminally ill to wish to die and deny their family happiness and selfless to stay alive if that is what their family wishes. Death hits everyone differently, and to see the different aspects of it is fascinating...
With my Mother's friend recently passing away of cancer and her choosing to just die instead of taking therapy, my mind has been on the subject. She was adamant on dying, but what was interesting were the people around her.My mother and I wanted her to do what she wished, but others wanted her to live and take therapy. It's... amazing to see how others react. Something about it is just so... elegant.