What's Better Than Not Being Born?- Another Axiom Queston

[Zimmerman]

I often tell people that no one asks to be born into this world. I think I say it to kind of cheer someone up or get them to see a minor complaint is just that.

If we do have a choice in being born then clearly a life with even a few moments of happiness is worth years of hell or who would choose to be born.

[Doug Funnie II]

Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.

[durrrr]

[ QUOTE ]
In a nutshell how bad does someone's life have to be such they would instead choose to be aborted, if that was somehow possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

its less than the number of suicides imo.

[etxel]

I think that the "thing", "common denominator" or whatever out there determines whether someone prefers not having been born might be related to pain and suffering but it is not essentially it. Because, someone who is in pain and who is suffering, even if it has been all his life might still be thankful for being born especially if there is hope. I think hope might be a pretty strong "common denominator". But I think the essential common denominator is "the specific person's true and honest wish of never having been born" : ) What makes a person feel that way I think is different for everyone and I think we can only give opinions as to what it may be.

[mvdgaag]

It depends so much on the person. I know people that have one serious illness after another and still find the energy and motivation in their lives to enjoy themselves. I also know people that have a very good life but think everything sucks and get depressed anyways.

Happyness is relative. Therefore the question should be:

How bad should someone feel about their life for him to wish he was not born at all?

I think this is a retorical question.

[drunkencowboy]

the answer is chemical. someones life, from the point of view of success/ friends/ all the good stuff, can be much better than someone elses and yet that someone else may be much happier about his life. this is because the chemicals are different in these 2 peoples heads and thus one is more content with life than the other...

as an example - Kurt Cobain committed suicide at the ripe old age of 23. Do you think he had a bad life?

"Theres nothing on the top but a bucket and a mop and an illustrated book about birds"

[Blue Lagoon]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In a nutshell how bad does someone's life have to be such they would instead choose to be aborted, if that was somehow possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bad enough for them to commit suicide.

If someone does not commit suicide, then they would rather be alive.

[/ QUOTE ]

NO! The fear of death, the fear of hurting others, and the fear of God's wrath will stop many who would have chosen never to be born from killing themselves once they have been born. My question perhaps shouldn't have used the word "abort".

[/ QUOTE ]
Your question perhaps shouldn't be asked.
In Science (like psychology, medecine), the methodology is the most important aspect when we ask a question.
If we ask "wrong", biased question, we absolutely cannot obtain a good answer.
There are some questions that are "wrong", and that we cannot answer, methodologically speaking.

Any thoughts?

[antisocialgrace]

As bad as mine. Kind of funny I searched a good part of last night for a thread like this on the mental health boards, then as soon as I come to a poker forum to educate myself about money management low and behold, a suicide thread.

[antisocialgrace]

By the way David you were on the money with the quote concerning some of the reasons people who have virtually given up on life would feel compelled to go on nonetheless.

Personally I have absolutely no fear of death and not a whole lot of concern about hurting anyone else at this point... but that whole "wrath of God" thing is a tough one to get past.

[obss]

[ QUOTE ]
In a nutshell how bad does someone's life have to be such they would instead choose to be aborted, if that was somehow possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

This bad!

Assuming that the foetus could decide, Bhaggavat Gita is the book which could give him the wisdom and courage to happily choose the most unhappy life if opposed to non-existence.