Assisted Death & the Value of Life: Crash Course Philosophy #45

As we wrap up Crash Course Philosophy, we’re using the things we’ve learned to explore big issues like the value of life. Today, we’re discussing abortions in cases of fetal abnormality, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. We will consider the standard of substituted judgment and the values people hold on both sides of these issues—values about the sacredness of life, and the importance of a life of quality, as well as the values of personal liberty and avoiding pain.

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[Carlos-fbbv]

Once again, hats off to CrashCourse for making an unbiased video, presenting both sides of the argument, on sensitive hot-button topics despite your own personal opinions. Keep making great content!

[Scotticus]

If I was diagnosed with Dementia or any disease where your memory goes & you have no real sense of what's going on or your previous life, then I would want to die. Having someone care for me isn't fair on them & my own quality of life would be so bad it'd be pointless.

[austinemmel]

I really respect the decision to address this topic, it's important and seldom evaluated.

[slaveofsatan]

I live with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. I am only 24 and one of the oldest with this heart condition. The only reason why I have this is because my mother was a heavy drug user. I am very happy living my life, but I know there are young infants with this same condition being kept alive by machines. I am very fortunate to be so strong given the state my heart is in. If I ended up needing machines to stay alive, I would like to peacefully leave my life. To me the quality of my life is doing what I love best. Living on machines would take that all away from me, so I see no reason to live my life as unhappy and suicidal. If I were to ever become pregnant, not only would it kill me, but the fetus would become very sick with all the medications I take. that fetus would most likely die, but if it does live it would have a very sort life.

Clearly I support abortion for medical and mental reasons. I support someones choice to pass on with dignity, and parents choice to give their child up due to many complications.

As a person who does have to fight for her life every day, I see no point in keeping someone or animal around if they are clearly in pain and suffering.

[bam]

I just want to say that I am a philosophy professor at a state university and I routinely use these videos in my class. They are fun, accessible, and incredibly accurate. Excellent job sir.

[gardendotorg]

I got in trouble in science for watching a crash course video. My teacher asked me what I was doing and she didn't believe me when I told her.

[Linkous]

I find it odd that the same people who are anti-abortion on the grounds of "sanctity of life" also tend to be for the death penalty.

[maxlee]

This is literally the most neutral, unbiased video I have ever seen.

[UnashamedlyHentai]

This has been my favorite Crash Course. Please, for the love of literally everything, make a CC: Philosophy II.

[stupidluvdisc]

Will crash course philosophy be brought back later? I am not exaggerating when I say that this show has changed my life for the better. It's really hard to say goodbye to such an amazing series

[mothman]

As a physically disabled man, I don't buy into the premises of this debate. Moralists always have strength enough to bear the misfortunes of others. Defending life at the cost of the pain of others is a horrible thing to do. Implementing that moral mandate collocates you at the pinnacle of human arrogance, sadism, and cruelty. I have a very simple test. If you think a particular life is worth living, you should go and live it _yourself._ If you won't do that, at the very least you should stay away from politics.

[asho]

Valid arguments on both sides? Maybe we should let people decide for themselves.

[stormelemental]

I've been fairly critical of some of the philosophy episodes, but I think Hank did an exceptional job here, particularly in pointing out that arguments centering on the mother or the child are quite different, even if they can seem very similar.

[TheKenttt]

Everyone that has had a conversation about abortion with me tries to make it an all or nothing case. Abortion is not a black and white issue, which is why it's such a hard subject to discuss and decide on.

[mallorienasrallah]

I am a college philosophy tutor. I've been meaning to thank you all for this section of Crash Course since its first video. So, before it's too late:
Thank you all, so much. I have used these videos to help develop my lessons and as a resource for my students. The presentation of information has been wonderful. You have made philosophy accessible to thousands of people who may have otherwise found it wholly opaque. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

[SDBRiCKS]

There's so many subjects in philosophy, not sure why the series is ending.

[giuseppefusivelarde]

You've done an amazing job Hank, and of course, all the team of crashcourse philosophy. Bravo!!

[richiskinner]

We the communitiy demand you to carry on with CrashCourse Philosophy for the sake of educating us unbiased on important topics of every-day life....
(just please don't go :( )

[sinnsage]

Thank you so, so much for making this video. It’s tragic when ppl avoid talking about important things because it makes them uncomfortable. If we all talked about these issues more, they wouldn’t BE so uncomfortable, and maybe we’d be in a better position to actually listen to each other with compassion & empathy.

[nachogonzalez]

Hard subject, and good video presenting all the arguments.
I find that most people just try to see this problem as a 'black or white' issue, yes or no, when in fact it's a very complicated issue that has many shades of gray. Healthy discussion and good information like this is much needed.