A thought on the value of my existence

[Nikolai Gogol]

Which law of nature states that my life has any more value compared to that of an insect? There isn't such a law. Then why should I have any more regard for myself than I do for an insect? Why do others insist that I have a special duty towards myself and my life, my wellbeing? I am as worthless as a fruit fly and deserve nothing more than a fruit fly does, and there is no argument against this.

 

[DarkRange55]

Why would you look to natural laws?

As soon as you understand you can contribute something positive to the world, it is logical to pursue that goal because it does more good for the world than harm. Killing yourself contributes negatively to the world outside of resource usage. Trauma to your family, your friends, your coworkers, people who knew you in school, individuals that find your body, individuals that clean up the mess, the compounding trauma of the individuals that have to investigate your body. Your suicide causes rebounding compound trauma to multiple systems of individuals compared to a natural death.
Good and bad are human concepts. Nothing is inherently "good" or "bad". It depends on one's ethics/morals. Some people may have so few morals that even murdering a human for pleasure isn't "bad" to them. Make of that what you will.

 

[Ixio]

Why would you look to natural laws?

As soon as you understand you can contribute something positive to the world, it is logical to pursue that goal because it does more good for the world than harm. Killing yourself contributes negatively to the world outside of resource usage. Trauma to your family, your friends, your coworkers, people who knew you in school, individuals that find your body, individuals that clean up the mess, the compounding trauma of the individuals that have to investigate your body. Your suicide causes rebounding compound trauma to multiple systems of individuals compared to a natural death.
Good and bad are human concepts. Nothing is inherently "good" or "bad". It depends on one's ethics/morals. Some people may have so few morals that even murdering a human for pleasure isn't "bad" to them. Make of that what you will.

For myself, it isn't a question of morality but of ontological necessity. I do not question whether or not my existence is a positive or if my actions are negative, I question if my existence in itself worth continuing. Schopenhauer coined the term " der Wille zum leben" the irrational drive to continue to survive. The innate instinct which all animals have, that drives them to continue to live regardless of the situation or the suffering they are experiencing.

Is it rational to want to continue existence if it is all suffering with no meaning behind it other than existing in itself?

Ending it seems more rational than prolonging the experience.

 

[whitherrvbound]

Which law of nature states that my life has any more value compared to that of an insect? There isn't such a law. Then why should I have any more regard for myself than I do for an insect? Why do others insist that I have a special duty towards myself and my life, my wellbeing? I am as worthless as a fruit fly and deserve nothing more than a fruit fly does, and there is no argument against this.

If we were to take laws of nature as an ethical frame of reference we wouldve been royally fucked by now as if we arent already are but atleast this way society is able to keep its judicial make-believe for some sod majority. Anyway whats with the perpetual need for a higher unquestionable dogmatic authority to deem what is valuable worthy acceptable or vice versa. There may be no inherent value in existence not anything metaphysical(which is subjective)for you nothing lofty but doesnt that also spares a breathing room and provide some liberty to actualise yourself in the way you want ?