HUMAN LIFE AND THE COLD CALCULUS OF THE LAW
"What is an individual life worth? Do our lives have equal value? Struggling with these questions led me to my belief."
We just listened to Kenneth Feinberg talk about the valuation of life and his struggle to do what is right by the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And then we looked in general terms in how the law would value your own life as an impecunious high school senior just starting out in life.
How does this make you feel? At least for now, your life is worth next to nothing, defined in dollars and cents in the eyes of the law, should tragedy befall you and compensation be demanded. What do you think about that? Older and more settled into a career, the life value calculator claims Mr. Geib's life is worth some one million eight hundred thousand dollars. Frankly, Mr. Geib thinks it is worth much more than that. His family might agree. (Some of his students might agree.)
What value does your own life have that cannot be communicated in the cold calculus of current and projected future earnings? How about emotional and familial attachments? Community service? How have you taken advantage of educational and athletic opportunities? Have you made the most ("carpe diem") of your precious time in high school?
- from "Dead Poet's Society" (26.6 mb)
Although it is by nature speculative, feel free even to predict future occupations and contributions to the world and mankind? What will you hope for your college experience? What kindnesses and services might you render? Romance? Travel? Career? Family? Decades from now when you are breathing your last, how will hope you can look back on your life?
Often our lives are such busy, chaotic, jumbled messes that we lack the time to stand back and see the big picture. Take such a moment now. Don't wait until it is too late.
Mr. Geib thanks you for your candor and honesty in reflecting on such weighty questions of a highly personal nature. Share what you feel comfortable sharing.
This blogsite will come due on Wednesday morning November 12, 2008.
"Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful...
