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Freedom and liberty again?
You advocate one freedom over another, that's all Timber. Freedom to DO over freedom FROM something. I am in this case arguing for peoples freedom FROM the effects of suicide. You are arguing for someones freedom to DO harm to others.
Both are freedoms. What is more beneficial to society? What creates more balanced individuals?
Should someone be protected from themself? Given the seasonal nature of suicide tendencies and their temporarity, I think so.
I have physically prevented someone from carrying out a suicide. Three times actually. Physically intervened in their attempt, which would have been sucessfull each time had I not. Did I impinge on their freedom? Absolutely. Did I step all over their right to die? Absolutely.
Are they alive, creating art, loving life and enjoying the planet to this day as a result? YES YES YES.
I have no apologies for keeping that person free from themself.
Another person I couselled during a suicidal season that lasted quite a while. While I didn't have to physically intervene, I used everything I had mentally to prevent, to intervene and to restrict the persons self destructive action.
Again, they are alive and well, with an abandance of experiences behind them as a result.
Walking in my shoes has given me the values and perspectives I have. The three sucessful suicides I mentioned earlier and seeing the catastrophic effects, and the prevention of these other two I've mentioned gives me clear and present experiences for founding my P.O.V. that a simple debate on the internet won't come close to shifting.
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