What makes a human life worth living? This is a question that has been asked throughout history, and it is one that still puzzles us today. Amanda Ripley tackles this question in her book, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes – and Why.
Ripley looks at some of the most horrific disasters of recent years – 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown – and examines how people coped in the face of unthinkable tragedy. She also looks at how different cultures view death, and what factors influence our perceptions of what is valuable in life.
Ripley’s analysis is fascinating and sobering. She shows that our beliefs about what makes life worth living are often based on cultural assumptions that may not stand up to scrutiny. For example, the idea that human life is more valuable than other forms of life is deeply ingrained in Western culture, but it is not shared by all cultures. In fact, some cultures view death as a natural and necessary part of life, and see no value in trying to prolong human life at all costs.
Ripley’s book is an important contribution to the debate about what makes a human life worth living. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how our beliefs about life and death shape our decisions – and our lives.
Today, the worth of a person’s life is defined by their accomplishments, their past, or how much money they make. According to Amanda Ripley in “What is a Life Worth,” we now value our lives based on money. “There’s even a price tag on your knee, around $200,000.” (37) Putting a price on a life is ethically wrong. When friends or family pass away nowadays, people immediately demand money; however, no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one.
Money should not be the essence of life because it cannot buy happiness or bring back a lost loved one.
Ripley argues that we should view life as something more than money. We should think about life experiences and what we can do to better others’ lives. For example, a doctor’s job is not just to save lives but also to improve the quality of those lives. A doctor may save someone’s life, but if that person is in a vegetative state, is that really living? Experiences are what make life worth living.
Ripley says that “the wisest among us know that there is more to life than money” (38). So why do we continue to base someone’s value on their salary? We should change our perspective and start valuing life for what it is – an experience.
When something terrible happens, most people prioritize life, as Hamlet illustrates in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Misfortunes, such as death, provide us with a wake-up call and cause us to appreciate and value what we have.
If we live each day without thinking about death, then we will never realize how precious life is. Hamlet’s father’s death and his uncle’s marriage to his mother are the two major events that occur in the play.
Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play with over four thousand lines. The reason for its length is due largely to the fact that it is a revenge tragedy. A revenge tragedy is a genre of Elizabethan theater in which the protagonist seeks revenge for a crime, usually murder. The protagonist generally takes a long time to take action, which provides opportunities for subplots and comic relief.
“Hamlet” has both of these elements. The subplot involves Polonius’ son Laertes returning from France and Polonius arranging for a fencing match between him and Hamlet. The comic relief is provided by the gravediggers digging Ophelia’s grave and their discussion of whether or not she should have a Christian burial.
The revenge tragedy was popular in Shakespeare’s day, and “Hamlet” is considered to be one of the best examples of the genre. It is also one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, and television.
Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which had then spread to his brain. The doctors gave him a 40% chance of survival. Armstrong did not give up; he fought and won the battle against cancer. He went on to win the Tour De France- an international bicycle race- seven times. He is now worth an estimated $125 million. If Armstrong had given up when the doctors said he only had a 40% chance, he would have missed out on all those opportunities.
Families who have lost a loved one should be compensated for their loss, but no amount of money can replace a life. The family may never be the same, but they can take comfort in knowing that their loved one’s life mattered.
“The reality is that cancer was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I’m not sure what caused it, but it has enhanced my life in some way. Why would I want to change myself for a single day? The most significant and formative event in my life?” (Lance Armstrong, 36). After diagnosis, he appreciated things he hadn’t previously experienced. His self-esteem soared.
Cancer changes people, that’s for sure. But not everyone is like Lance Armstrong. For some, the experience can be devastating and leave them feeling scared, angry, and alone.
For Amanda Ripley, cancer was a wake-up call. It made her realize that she wasn’t living her life to the fullest. She wasn’t doing what she really wanted to do with her time on earth.
Ripley was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2013. She was only 36 years old. The news was shocking, but it didn’t completely take Ripley by surprise. She had seen the signs for months and just hadn’t wanted to face them.
Ripley decided to use her cancer diagnosis as a chance to make some changes in her life. She quit her job, sold her house, and moved to Italy with her family.
Ripley’s experience with cancer made her realize that life is too short to waste time on things that don’t matter. We all need to find our own way to make the most of the time we have on this earth.