ac grayling

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Professor A.C. Grayling gives his argument FOR the motion of the legalisation of Assisted Dying. Facebook @ http://fb.me/theoxfordunion Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/OxfordUnion Oxford Union Website @ http://www.oxford-union.org/ Professor A.C. Grayling begins by talking about compassion and how that emotion makes a claim on us to consider the circumstances of our fellow human beings in very difficult times of their lives. He goes on to say that death is a right. Following this he talks of a right to life, more specifically a right to a certain quality of life and if that quality of life can't be met in the judgement of the person living it then surely we must respect their wishes and have the compassion the help then end their suffering. He mentions that those against this motion often ground their argument in the idea that our lives are not our own but we're given to us by some God or deity and only those who gave it to us have the right to take it away. He concludes by saying this argument is rooted in a time when religious beliefs were preferred over scientific treatments and as a more advance society, where our knowledge gives us more respect for the individual, we should be more sympathetic for those who wish to end their lives. Filmed on Thursday 18th October 2012 MOTION: THIS HOUSE WOULD LEGALISE ASSISTED DYING Speakers in Proposition: Professor Grayling Richard Ottaway MP Michael Irwin Speakers in opposition: Lord Alton Baroness Finlay Rober Preston RESULT: THE MOTION WAS CARRIED ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY: The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.