The Speculist

When I started Phil's last post I was thinking: "Wow, a movie that moderates Phil's Death Sucks position toward Leon Kass! This I gotta see."

But by the end of the post I was left with the impression that Phil's position is much the same.

Phil's Stranger than Fiction spoiler ahead:

The Will Ferrell character chooses to tow the Leon Kass line – he decides that the novel’s ending will add meaning to his life that it lacked before. In so deciding, he displays a courage and a stoicism – and most importantly, a desire that his life be worth something – that is both compelling and deeply moving.

And from Phil's comment:

[If Will Ferrell's character Crick] did it as presented -- to preserve the integrity of the story -- it's a very different thing. I can't say that I would do the same, but I admired Crick for making that choice.

I'm sure Phil will correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that his post-Stranger Than Fiction position is, "I'll grant that a meaningful death may lend meaning to a life that was formerly coasting along. While this fact is a challenge to my 'Death Sucks' philosophy, I'm looking forward to discovering how meaningful a long life, perhaps even an indefinitely long life, can be."

Imagine we're all living someplace like North Korea where we're all equally miserable. Phil, being a courageous guy, publishes a pamphlet entitled "Poverty Sucks" and passes it around. I get a copy and have an epiphany: "You know, Phil's right. This one-turnip-a-week ration stinks!" Pretty soon there's a little movement going that gets the attention of the regime. Predictably Phil's hauled in by the secret police.

Thinking that Phil could produce great propaganda for the state if he's spared, Phil's would-be executioners are told to try to convert him. So they show Phil a film montage of great paupers - Jesus, Ghandi, and many others. Then they show him films of flawed rich people - citizens Kane... and Paris Hilton. At the end of the day Phil is asked who he'd rather be like, the self-actualized poor people, or the miserable, worthless rich people.

If Phil could be convinced that those were the only two alternatives I'm sure that Phil would embrace his life of poverty and stop being such a trouble-maker. But Phil would realize that it's a false choice.

I've known poor people as obsessed with money as any rich person could ever be. And I've also met some very mature and happy wealthy people. Money does not buy happiness, but if Abraham Maslow is correct, then people tend to forgo spiritual development until their basic needs are met. Having some money - enough to cover basic needs - provides the freedom to mature and grow that those mired in poverty might never have.

Likewise, additional time could also provide the freedom to grow and mature. And it would be a false choice to have to decide between a meaningful life and a long life. Life is not a commodity like gold where scarcity adds value. Our lives are precious because it's what we are. That fact is true whether you're 3, 33, or 333.

I also have admiration for those who make the ultimate sacrifice. Heroes don't risk their lives because they hate life or think that dying at age 25 would be great.

My father-in-law was recently given full military honors at his funeral. This was many years after his military service had ended. The officer said at the grave side that "Don McFaul answered his country's call during a time of war." That "freedom is not free." That "some gave all."

I've thought about that last line many times since then. Does it take anything away from my father-in-law's heroism that he survived the war? That he was not one of those who gave all? Absolutely not. Saying "some gave all" honors both those who "gave all" and those who, like my father-in-law, risked all. Death doesn't make heroes. Death is the unfortunate price that some of our heroes pay.

The value and meaning of our lives doesn't depend on our lifespan. That's fortunate because we will never know - even with life extension technology - how long we have left. Our lives are valuable because it's what we are. And our lives have meaning because of the things we do.