Q&A: Should the State Force a Person to Stay Alive?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Should the State Force a Person to Stay Alive?
Question
Do you think the state should make every possible effort to save a person who is about to commit suicide? Or can a hospital refrain from giving life-saving treatment if the patient requests that?
Answer
If it is due to emotional distress (and that is usually the situation), then in my opinion yes. With help, the person may change his mind. As for a terminally ill physical patient, in my opinion one certainly should not force treatment on him.