What Is a Life Worth?

1403 Words3 Pages

Placing monetary value on an individual’s life is measured not by the way an individual has lived, but rather the individual’s income; at least that is how society views life. Every individual values life from a different perspective. And while every human will find value in life, those values will not be the same as everybody else. Some people will value life as a privilege and believe life should be taken seriously while considering the consequences in every decision contemplated while others will live in the fast lane with an irresponsible mindset. Individuals also view life differently depending on the circumstances. However, no matter how an individual views life, it seems to be impossible to extract emotion out of any decision. Society, on the other hand, values life by placing a monetary value on a human life. Society also has no choice but to set emotion aside when setting that monetary value. The government will use that value to compensate a family who has just lost a love one. However, some families mistake the compensation for “replacing” the lost soul and become indignant. There are many alternatives when it comes to compensating the victim’s family. In most times, society always ends up placing a value on an individual based on his/her income. Furthermore, while society delivers compensation to families, society also believes in compensation for an individual’s pain and suffering. There are times society should place a monetary value on life, while having restrictions.

Many individuals have different aspects as to how life should be valued. Some individuals live life a day at a time while attempting to make the most as if their last breath was upcoming. In a Stanford Commencement in 2005, Apple CEO Steve Jobs quo...

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...y after an individual has passed. And while the “value” will often lead invalid intentions to families, it means no harm. However, society should not deliver reparations for non-economic losses. Value on human life is given to every individual, and certain aspects of one’s life contribute to that number. It is up to the person themselves to discover certain values that will lead to happiness and cause life to seem precious. Do not spend valuable time living life to somebody else’s expectations because in the end, society is going to ignore how you have lived and pursue life insurance immediately.

Works Cited

Ripley, Amanda. “What Is a Life Worth?” TIME 11 Feb. 2002. 22-27. Print.

Jobs, Steve. Commencement Address. Stanford University Commencement Weekend. Stanford, CA.

12 June 2005. Address. .

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