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Single Idea 4670

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 2. Moral rights ]

Full Idea

There is nothing intrinsically good in a person being alive, and the idea of a 'right to life' should be rejected.

Gist of Idea

Being alive is not intrinsically good, and there is no 'right to life'

Source

Jonathan Glover (Causing Death and Saving Lives [1977], §11.1)

Book Ref

Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.138

A Reaction

If pleasure or benefit can be intrinsically good, I don't see why life can't be. The notion of a 'natural' or 'self-evident' right does look dubious to me. Rights are earned and given. Robinson Crusoe has no rights.

The 4 ideas with the same theme [what gives an entitlement to be treated morally]:

4668 You can't have a right to something you can't desire, so a foetus has no 'right' to life [Glover]
4670 Being alive is not intrinsically good, and there is no 'right to life' [Glover]
20879 Too many options may open us to unwanted pressures, like being paid very little [LaFollette]
20880 Should people be forced to make choices? [LaFollette]