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N0_IDEA5 t1_jdqskcm wrote

Always nice to hear what the ancient philosopher thought. The idea that a human worth living is one that can fulfill its function is an interesting one. I appreciate its avoidance of the extremes on either side of the argument but I don’t think it’s quite enough as it could exclude the disabled from having a life worth living.

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DrNickMawani t1_jdr3dg3 wrote

Disability spawns adjusted arguments about the matter because the life value criteria changes depending on the disability and the individual perception of limitations experienced.

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surfmoss t1_jdtmp3t wrote

I recently went to a homeless shelter to drop off clothes. A guy in a wheelchair was employed there. It seems like he was helping others despite his limitations that I perceived.

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MrCW64 t1_jduri3x wrote

No it doesn't. All life is valuable.

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MrCW64 t1_jdur9ac wrote

You're assuming that the function of that humans life is being limited by their disability.

e.g. can you really appreciate the need for compassion in life if you've never experienced the need for it yourself?

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N0_IDEA5 t1_jduszv4 wrote

Yes that would more or less be the assumption. The function that was likely being referred to in the article was rational thinking. And some people with mental disabilities are impaired or sometimes unable to rational think, and likely they would say that it is not a life worth living. For me I feels that is incorrect, however I do know this idea of there theory is to exclude certain people from having a life worth living, so maybe that exclusion is ideal for them. Or maybe they can just set the bar of rational thinking super low and include these mental disabled as fulfilling there function.

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