One day Socrates sat with Plato in their usual philosophizing spot and together they began what they hoped would be another one of their famous discussions.
Socrates: What a wonderful day for a philosophical discussion.
Plato: Is there such a thing as a day that is not wonderful for such a discussion.
S: Have you heard about the young man that they now keep connected to life support in an effort to keep the man alive? It is certain that the man would die if he were removed from this crutch to life.
P: I imagine the doctor will be well compensated for her time spent aiding this man in his recovery.
S: The doctor will be paid nothing for her effort. And what’s more, the doctor must spend every waking moment at the man’s side for the next several months to give the man a chance to recover. Though, the doctor is free to live life with relative normalcy. The patient will simply accompany the doctor where ever she goes. The life support system is quite portable.
P: Oh, well that does change how I first perceived this situation. Still, when one weighs the cost of several months of that doctor’s life being disrupted versus the entire life of the young patient it seems that the logical choice would be for the doctor to work to save the man’s life.
S: I must confess that I have not told you the entire situation. The man on life support has no arms.
P: What a truly horrible accident he must have been in. But still this does not justify the doctor abandoning the patient’s life. The lack of arms does not devalue life to a point of abandonment.
S: I will share more with you then. The patient has no legs.
P: The poor soul! Does the divine one have no mercy? Still, the doctor surely will continue to tend to the man.
S: Then I must go further and reveal that the man has no head.
P: Ahh, you hold the most important detail until the end. I’m not sure the doctor would serve any purpose in tending to such a patient. Would such a life be worth saving?
S: Then let me add to the equation some additional factors to consider. First, the man will eventually gain back his arms and legs. And he will additionally grow a head. This will occur during the course of a few months.
P: And after that time will he recover full use of his body and mind, since clearly neither is functional at this time?
S: There is a good chance he will regain all of his functioning, though there is a small chance that there may be some defects in the end.
P: I would hate to think that life would be forsaken because of defects. Unless this world is truly merciless, I hope we take pity on those with such difficulties. And terminating one’s life for the lack of abilities does not sound merciful. How long before this patient will make a recovery? I would love to meet such a survivor!
S: After such an accident, it usually takes nine months to recover.
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