Whistling in the Dark

Let us postulate that a lack of higher brain function does not mean death, in the sense of one's immortal soul, even if it means the end of cognition. Certainly, no one can claim Terry Schiavo is currently thinking or dreaming -- there is no brainwave activity typical of any sort of awareness, whether conscious, subconscious or unconscious.

So. We have a situation where there is life, trapped in a form without thought, without hope of thought. An eternity of meaningless existence.

Let us postulate that immortal soul, unable to move on because it is chained to a broken body incapable of perceiving its world, interacting with its world, or even thinking.

Let us postulate that soul, alone in the dark.

There is no question, to my mind, that Schiavo should be allowed to pass on. If it turns out there is something to souls and the afterlife, it becomes all the more important to let her move on.

It is cruel to cling because one cannot bear to let go.