Is death a friend or an enemy?

As I am not a philosopher, I am not equipped to make generalizations that would include the entire human race. I can only speak for myself.

As I grow older, I realize that the human body is able to exist in relatively good working order for only a finite length of time. At some point, my body will be incapable of sustaining life for me in a meaningful way, and death will come to me, as a friend.

In fact, if it ever reaches the point where natural death is not imminent, but my quality of life is untenable to me, I plan to move things along, and take matters into my own hands.

Would your answer be the same if aging were not part of the equation?

Are you talking about a person living a life being healthy and strong, and looking young, and at some time, simply expiring?

I am not so sure. My first thought is that if it were that way, that death would be an enemy. But, thinking more, I wonder whether I would even want to live indefinitely. So I would really want to think more about this, before I could give you a well considered opinion.

I think that you have posited something fascinating!

the first time i read this poem, i adopted it as my mantra on this subject

dying is fine)but Death
e.e. cummings -

dying is fine)but Death

?o
baby
i

wouldn't like

Death if Death
were
good:for

when(instead of stopping to think)you

begin to feel of it,dying
's miraculous
why?be

cause dying is

perfectly natural;perfectly
putting
it mildly lively(but

Death

is strictly
scientific
& artificial &

evil & legal)

we thank thee
god
almighty for dying
(forgive us,o life!the sin of Death

Death must be the enemy to one like me. Why embrace it? It's never done a thing for you.

only fear is the enemy, as I see it.

I think that as life is now, death does a wonderful thing. It releases a person from a life of pain, infirmity and/or confusion.

edgar- Of course I would rage, and attempt to hang on to my existence for as long as reasonably possible. But at some point one must become comfortable with the inevitable.

That's where we differ.

edgars more a dylan thomas man i guess

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

edgar- I think that my attitude has to do with my close call with death, many years ago. I have already gone through all of Kubler-Ross' stages(left out the bargaining with a god, though). I was pretty shook up for quite some time, and it took me quite a while to accept the concept that I might not live. Now death holds no terror for me.

I can certainly appreciate your feelings.

I have been in many situations in which I expected to die with minutes. It made me the way I am about it now.

I'm reminded of Woody Allen's observation:

"I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Death is a friend if we die in dignity.

Well I reckon if yer old an crusty then its a friend. Also if yer sufferin.

But in most other circumstances its an enemy.

Are we talking of our own deaths or those of others?

djsumthinoruda I love your signiture. Can I have the rights to use it?? Don't know whether I would though - I like to be original, but I still love it.

aperson, One doesn't become dignified until very late in life - like very old.