Moral Obligation

So I’m pretty drunk right now. And I wanted to retain my experience with this state while I asked a question, because I think (although…what does that mean right now?) I can present my question accurately: is this state immoral?

Keep in mind that I’m asking this question as someone who has fought to stay alive through surgery and for whom alcohol (in theory) creates problems with maintaining that live. But what is life? And what is the correct way to face such a issue

 

19 thoughts on “Moral Obligation

  1. The question “is this state immoral” requires context. Are you driving? If so, yes. Are you making yourself a burden or danger to others by choosing to be in this state? If so, yes.

    Are you relaxing at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go? If so, then probably not, but there are still possible issues of context.

  2. llanitedave:
    The question “is this state immoral” requires context.Are you driving?If so, yes.

    No, I’m not dying (as far as I know). However, consuming enough alcohol to be drunk is correlated with a decreased lifespan, particularly for folks on certain medication (say…immunosuppression, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc…) and greatly effects the efficiency of kidney clearance, among other similar effects.

    In other words, is engaging in behavior that is theoretically risky to the very action I’ve engaged in to survive immoral?

    Are you making yourself a burden or danger to others by choosing to be in this state?If so, yes.

    An interesting question, although I think irrelevant in this case. What I mean is, what I really want to know is whether I have a moral obligation to my illness vs my enjoyment. I don’t think I’ve gotten to the point where I’m a burden on anyone (though when I get drunk, I do tend to snore, and that IS a BURDEN on me wife, but again…a different subject methinks).

    Are you relaxing at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go? If so, then probably not, but there are still possible issues of context.

    Yes, but then again I think this is irrelevant to the point. See above.

  3. petrushka:
    No better and no worse than overeating or smoking.

    See, that’s what I’m questioning…I’m wondering if there’s a certain level of hypocrisy in trying to do the things associated with survival with a given illness, and still engaging in risky behavior. Maybe it doesn’t matter…

  4. Neil Rickert: Of course you are.Every hour brings you 60 minutes closer to the time of death.

    Ooo…there’s a philosophical conundrum of reality vs literary license! I tend to assume those who ask me “are you dying” are actually asking, “are you dying within the next couple of weeks. Given my state, that’s a reasonable question. But I do appreciate how that could apply to anyone.

  5. Mung:
    Are you driving?

    Yes. I’m driving laughing.

    D’oh… completely misread. Otoh, not a completely inappropriate response, so…

  6. I’d rather die in my sleep like my grandfather did.
    Not screaming and begging for mercy, like the passengers of the car he was driving.

  7. Reciprocating Bill: I’d rather die in my sleep like my grandfather did.
    Not screaming and begging for mercy, like the passengers of the car he was driving.

    I can’t believe I am laughing at this, but I am. LoL.

  8. Robin: D’oh… completely misread. Otoh, not a completely inappropriate response, so…

    Yeah, I was wondering what to make about that response. Context, and all.

    What I mean is, what I really want to know is whether I have a moral obligation to my illness vs my enjoyment.

    I think in a case like this, it’s more useful to think of your options in strategic rather than moral terms.

  9. Reciprocating Bill:
    I’d rather die in my sleep like my grandfather did.
    Not screaming and begging for mercy, like the passengers of the car he was driving.

    LO! RB, I’d never heard this one before, but I like it. Ironically, this addresses my issue perfectly. *Hat tip*

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