TAW122
Emissary of the right to die.
- Aug 30, 2018
- 6,813
As we all agree and know that one's quality of life is up to the particular individual to determine and decide. Therefore, what I am saying is that in terms of quality of life, there are two types of metrics in which it can be measured by, objective metrics and subjective metrics, which the latter holds more weight. First off, by objective metrics I am referring to things that are observable, testable, and verifiable, not something that is anecdotal or just opinion based. Subjective metrics is of course, subjective and up to the individual, which will vary from person to person, in other words, what one finds tenable may not be tenable or viable for another, vice versa. Also, keep in mind that I am not trying to gatekeep or be a gatekeeper when it comes to the decision of CTB or living; that is ultimately up to the individual.
Now without further ado, here is what I mean by objective metrics for the quality of life. Examples of these metrics are that things that people can do in their day to day life, such as basic needs, and things that most people are able to do without thinking. These include, but are not limited to, eating, bathing, walking, getting around, getting dressed/changing clothes, etc. Also, the ability to function in day to day life, being able to live independently.
Subjective metrics refer to things that applies to the individual and what the individual finds worth living for. It varies from person to person so there is no specific criteria for which one person's metrics applies to another, as each individual leads a (slightly) different life than another. To some people what means the world to one might not hold the same weight (or any weight for the matter) to another person. Examples of these are hobbies, things of interest, and other things that aren't necessarily basic needs, or things that give value to an individual's life (which will vary of course).
So with those things said, here are some examples to consider, two scenarios and simplified for easier reading.
Scenario A:
Person had a normal life up until his/her accident that left said person paralyzed from the chest down, has limited if any use of his/her arms and is confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his/her life. He/she is still young, in his/her early 20's and once had a promising future ahead, but is no longer the case. The person then requires around the clock care and can no longer pursue his/her dreams and also, what he/she could do (like any able-bodied person) is no longer physically possible. These hobbies also include playing an instrument at an advanced level (clarinet/violin/piano/drums/percussion/etc.), swimming, volleyball. (Yes, while there are paralympics and what not, that's beside the point though - he/she could not pursue it on the same level as before and is limited to what he/she could do with adaptions, etc.)
Scenario B:
Person had a relatively normal life, but had difficulties that most people take for granted, like successful social life, getting a date/marriage/boy or girlfriends, etc. Other than that, he/she is physically healthy and not physically disabled, but maybe mentally disabled. Said person is able to function in society, just enough to get by, but other than that, the person is not leading a life that the person finds enjoyable, maybe objectively that person's life is good, but subjectively (applies to the person and person only), that person is not enjoying life the way it is. Whether or not he/she can change the circumstances, well it depends but that is another topic altogether.
Scenario C:
Person was born with a physical disability and/or gotten into a bad accident and lost function of his/her limbs, but is physically inconvenienced in life, having to take longer to do something that most people would do with relative ease or little difficulty. Other than that, said person seems to be content with what he/she has and is not finding life tolerable, despite his/her limitations owing it to said physical disability.
With all that said, let's start with Scenario A. In Scenario A, one can argue that the person's quality of life is both objectively and subjectively poor, because not only is the person unable to take care of him/herself without the aid of another person and requiring around the clock care, but also unable to attainable his/her goals or pursue hobbies in the way he/she wishes to (limited by the disability). For Scenario B, one can say that the quality of life for the person, objectively speaking is ok, but subjectively, not so much. The person may be able to function in day to day life, but is generally unhappy with the circumstances that he/she is faced with and finds life unappealing, quality of life poor. No one can say that the person is wrong/right because that is ultimately up to the person determining whether he/she is ok with the circumstances that he/she is faced with. Finally, in Scenario C, the person may be born with the disability that limits his/her life, objectively speaking, or received it from an accident or bad situation, yet the person has found some meaning in life to make it worth living for said person (and only speaking about said person here - doesn't apply to everyone). In that case, it can be said that Scenario C's person is living an objectively poor quality of life, but overall still content with life in general since the subjective part of life (at least to that person) makes life worth living for said person.
So in conclusion, objective metrics can be measured by observing the things that one does in day to day life, such as basic tasks for eating, getting dressed, using the bathroom, brushing teeth, sleeping, getting around, etc. Subjective metrics are things that the person does that has meaning for him/herself such as hobbies, activities that interest him/her, and other various aspects of life that appeal to that individual. There is no absolute formula, but this topic is mainly intended to show the two different types of metrics for measuring quality of life. Let me know your thoughts on this topic and analysis.
Now without further ado, here is what I mean by objective metrics for the quality of life. Examples of these metrics are that things that people can do in their day to day life, such as basic needs, and things that most people are able to do without thinking. These include, but are not limited to, eating, bathing, walking, getting around, getting dressed/changing clothes, etc. Also, the ability to function in day to day life, being able to live independently.
Subjective metrics refer to things that applies to the individual and what the individual finds worth living for. It varies from person to person so there is no specific criteria for which one person's metrics applies to another, as each individual leads a (slightly) different life than another. To some people what means the world to one might not hold the same weight (or any weight for the matter) to another person. Examples of these are hobbies, things of interest, and other things that aren't necessarily basic needs, or things that give value to an individual's life (which will vary of course).
So with those things said, here are some examples to consider, two scenarios and simplified for easier reading.
Scenario A:
Person had a normal life up until his/her accident that left said person paralyzed from the chest down, has limited if any use of his/her arms and is confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his/her life. He/she is still young, in his/her early 20's and once had a promising future ahead, but is no longer the case. The person then requires around the clock care and can no longer pursue his/her dreams and also, what he/she could do (like any able-bodied person) is no longer physically possible. These hobbies also include playing an instrument at an advanced level (clarinet/violin/piano/drums/percussion/etc.), swimming, volleyball. (Yes, while there are paralympics and what not, that's beside the point though - he/she could not pursue it on the same level as before and is limited to what he/she could do with adaptions, etc.)
Scenario B:
Person had a relatively normal life, but had difficulties that most people take for granted, like successful social life, getting a date/marriage/boy or girlfriends, etc. Other than that, he/she is physically healthy and not physically disabled, but maybe mentally disabled. Said person is able to function in society, just enough to get by, but other than that, the person is not leading a life that the person finds enjoyable, maybe objectively that person's life is good, but subjectively (applies to the person and person only), that person is not enjoying life the way it is. Whether or not he/she can change the circumstances, well it depends but that is another topic altogether.
Scenario C:
Person was born with a physical disability and/or gotten into a bad accident and lost function of his/her limbs, but is physically inconvenienced in life, having to take longer to do something that most people would do with relative ease or little difficulty. Other than that, said person seems to be content with what he/she has and is not finding life tolerable, despite his/her limitations owing it to said physical disability.
With all that said, let's start with Scenario A. In Scenario A, one can argue that the person's quality of life is both objectively and subjectively poor, because not only is the person unable to take care of him/herself without the aid of another person and requiring around the clock care, but also unable to attainable his/her goals or pursue hobbies in the way he/she wishes to (limited by the disability). For Scenario B, one can say that the quality of life for the person, objectively speaking is ok, but subjectively, not so much. The person may be able to function in day to day life, but is generally unhappy with the circumstances that he/she is faced with and finds life unappealing, quality of life poor. No one can say that the person is wrong/right because that is ultimately up to the person determining whether he/she is ok with the circumstances that he/she is faced with. Finally, in Scenario C, the person may be born with the disability that limits his/her life, objectively speaking, or received it from an accident or bad situation, yet the person has found some meaning in life to make it worth living for said person (and only speaking about said person here - doesn't apply to everyone). In that case, it can be said that Scenario C's person is living an objectively poor quality of life, but overall still content with life in general since the subjective part of life (at least to that person) makes life worth living for said person.
So in conclusion, objective metrics can be measured by observing the things that one does in day to day life, such as basic tasks for eating, getting dressed, using the bathroom, brushing teeth, sleeping, getting around, etc. Subjective metrics are things that the person does that has meaning for him/herself such as hobbies, activities that interest him/her, and other various aspects of life that appeal to that individual. There is no absolute formula, but this topic is mainly intended to show the two different types of metrics for measuring quality of life. Let me know your thoughts on this topic and analysis.
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