How long should a human live?

[commonsense]

The absolute limit for the lifespan of human cells is thought to be 150 years.

https://www.livescience.com/human-life- ... found.html

Should we live that long?

Or should humans only live until the age of retirement—iow only as long as they are productive members of the workforce?

Or should humans survive through retirement as long as they are consumers of goods and services?

Is the issue quality of life v. longevity of years?

Should seniors be able to carry out independently the activities of daily living (feeding oneself, dressing oneself, toileting without assistance, walking…) if they are to continue living?

[Impenitent]

humans should live until they die

same as anything else that is alive...

-Imp

[commonsense]

humans should live until they die

same as anything else that is alive...

-Imp

Ha!

Do you also have a serious thought to share?

[Hermit Philosopher]

The absolute limit for the lifespan of human cells is thought to be 150 years.

https://www.livescience.com/human-life- ... found.html

Should we live that long?

Or should humans only live until the age of retirement—iow only as long as they are productive members of the workforce?

Or should humans survive through retirement as long as they are consumers of goods and services?

Is the issue quality of life v. longevity of years?

Should seniors be able to carry out independently the activities of daily living (feeding oneself, dressing oneself, toileting without assistance, walking…) if they are to continue living?

Dear commonsense,

I’m relieved that it’s not so, but hypothetically speaking; if you did possessed authority over the lives of others and you concluded that one should only live until one a) was still productive, b) still consumed goods and services or c) was still self-sufficient/ independent; would you have an ethical way to implement your decision…?

Even from a utilitarian point of view, it would still be an ethical minefield, no?


Humbly
Hermit

[Harbal]

I don't think there should be one rule that applies to all human beings in respect of how long they should live. People need to be categorised. For example: There is a type who, upon reaching a certain age, adopt the habit of responding to anything that captures their curiosity in a very specific way. Regardless of what they may be doing, they become completely motionless, let their lower jaw drop, and just stare at the object of curiosity. When they go into this state it can sometimes last quite a long time, and on the occassions when I have been the object of curiosity I have found it an uncomfortable experience. It's as if they are watching you on TV, and it doesn't seem to occur to them that you are aware of them just staring at you. When a human being starts to exhibit this kind of behaviour it is an indication that they have lived as long as they should.

[commonsense]

Dear Humbly Hermit,

Which of the ethical mines would you dare to tread on, if you had such a power over others?

Or do you have a time bomb of your own thinking?

[commonsense]

I don't think there should be one rule that applies to all human beings in respect of how long they should live. People need to be categorised. For example: There is a type who, upon reaching a certain age, adopt the habit of responding to anything that captures their curiosity in a very specific way. Regardless of what they may be doing, they become completely motionless, let their lower jaw drop, and just stare at the object of curiosity. When they go into this state it can sometimes last quite a long time, and on the occassions when I have been the object of curiosity I have found it an uncomfortable experience. It's as if they are watching you on TV, and it doesn't seem to occur to them that you are aware of them just staring at you. When a human being starts to exhibit this kind of behaviour it is an indication that they have lived as long as they should.

Absence seizures aside, you may have touched on a criteria for living that many would support. Meaningful socialisation is an essential part of healthy living for all human beings.

[Hermit Philosopher]

Dear Humbly Hermit,

Which of the ethical mines would you dare to tread on, if you had such a power over others?

Or do you have a time bomb of your own thinking?

Personally, I would never strive for that type of “power”, commonsense. It seems an awful sort to have to bear and, were one to consider more than one side to any aspect involved in it, the whole “field” of “mines” would likely be torched - during one’s very own watch. No, thank you. Not for me.

I only thought that -as you created the thread- you may have reflected upon the ethical implications of [possible answers to] your question and would be willing to share those with your readers.


Humbly
Hermit

[vegetariantaxidermy]

Euthanasia should be available to anyone who wants it. You should be able to write a legal document to say you want to be euthanised when you become incapacitated and unable to make your own decisions eg. with dementia. It's ridiculous that people with dementia are stuffed with medications and kept alive for as long as possible. No one in their right mind would choose that. Most people say that the prospect of losing their marbles and becoming a burden is their 'worst nightmare'. We have been dictated to by religious fuckheads and the very lucrative geriatric industry for far too long. Instead, we let the senile drive around with vacant expressions, doing things like driving up motorways in the wrong direction, reversing into other cars in supermarket carparks, putting their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake, being a danger to everyone except their oblivious selves etc. etc. We wear annoying masks to 'protect' the irritating old pests, and treat them as if they are the most precious jewels in society. Entitled old gits. Why are there no cognitive tests for driving past a certain age?

[commonsense]

Dear Humbly Hermit,

Which of the ethical mines would you dare to tread on, if you had such a power over others?

Or do you have a time bomb of your own thinking?

Personally, I would never strive for that type of “power”, commonsense. It seems an awful sort to have to bear and, were one to consider more than one side to any aspect involved in it, the whole “field” of “mines” would likely be torched - during one’s very own watch. No, thank you. Not for me.

I only thought that -as you created the thread- you may have reflected upon the ethical implications of [possible answers to] your question and would be willing to share those with your readers.


Humbly
Hermit

Your reservations are noted. It is apparent that you do not want to be in a position where the question in the thread title would apply to you.

Humans should not live forever. They must die such that all the available resources are not exhausted, else the entire human race would be extinct as well as all the other species on the planet.

Ethically when should humans die? At any time after birth. I would do nothing to alter when a human would die. I have no recommendation for an optimal length of life. The ethics of my answer to the question are neutral.

Judging from the sparseness of response to this thread, I doubt there are many who do have a suggestion for human longevity, the ethics of which could be discussed once a suggestion is put forward.

[commonsense]

Euthanasia should be available to anyone who wants it. You should be able to write a legal document to say you want to be euthanised when you become incapacitated and unable to make your own decisions eg. with dementia. It's ridiculous that people with dementia are stuffed with medications and kept alive for as long as possible. No one in their right mind would choose that. Most people say that the prospect of losing their marbles and becoming a burden is their 'worst nightmare'. We have been dictated to by religious fuckheads and the very lucrative geriatric industry for far too long. Instead, we let the senile drive around with vacant expressions, doing things like driving up motorways in the wrong direction, reversing into other cars in supermarket carparks, putting their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake, being a danger to everyone except their oblivious selves etc. etc. We wear annoying masks to 'protect' the irritating old pests, and treat them as if they are the most precious jewels in society. Entitled old gits. Why are there no cognitive tests for driving past a certain age?

You speak the truth. As for me, if euthanasia were an available option, I would put it in an advance directive in hopes that I wouldn’t burden my family.