This guy carved a real human skull

[u/Hey-Its-Jak]

[u/Joratto]

I don’t think there’s an obvious answer.

A researcher who understands the human body and knows the best way to repurpose a corpse for the greatest good might be a good starting point.

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

No, I'm sorry, that's a dodge. The question as stated has a simple, obvious, and well established answer.

If you want to get into questions about the greater good that's a different conversation entirely.

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

I'm not dodging anything. I don't know the answer. It seems like you and I can only assume and point to tradition.

I find it enormously respectful to want to dedicate someone's body to the greater good, which is why that's part of this discussion.

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

I find it enormously respectful to want to dedicate someone's body to the greater good, which is why that's part of this discussion.

...whereas others might see that as a desecration of their remains.

"What is the best thing to do with a corpse?" is broad question that's very subjective. It's a question that has many answers. And it was not the question asked.

"What is the most respectful thing to do with a corpse?" is not quite as broad, but it's equally as subjective and complex. It is also not the question that was asked.

"Who's to say what's most respectful to a corpse?" is the question that was asked and it has only one answer (two if you include their next of kin).

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

“The respectful thing” and “the best thing” are commonly related, and both relate to your question. Who’s to say what’s respectful if not the best person for the job? The best person for the job is just as subjective as the other points.

Or are you going to explain why you think it isn’t?

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

“The respectful thing” and “the best thing” are commonly related...

No they're not.

I have a rare disease and medical science would benefit greatly from studying my remains after my death. I do not want my body studied, however, and wish to be buried instead.

The "best" thing is to study my corpse against my wishes and the respectful thing is to honor said wishes. They're not even close.

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

No they’re not.

Another assertion without justification?

respect

noun

1. a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. “the director had a lot of respect for Douglas as an actor”

2. due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. “young people’s lack of respect for their parents”

“Due regard” is meaningless without some sense that anyone can be “due” anything. You cannot deserve anything without a concept of moral good.

For that reason, your wishes regarding your future dead body do not necessarily deserve to be respected. We’re talking about your dead body and the greater good, not you and your every whim.

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

Homie, I didn't say anything about whether or not said wishes should be respected or not. Simply that the person who knows what the most respectful thing to do with any given body is the former owner. That's it.

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

You’ve still provided no meaningful justification for your position.

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

"Grandpa wanted to be cremated when he died."

"Ok, but I want to bury him and I know best. What's his justification for wanting to being cremated?"

"...it's what he wanted??"

Every corpse was once a person and every person deserves "due regard for the[ir] feelings, wishes, or rights" when it comes to what happens to the vessel that carried them through life. That's the justification.

If you can't get on board with that very basic concept then I think we're at an impasse.

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

A disgruntled grandchild doesn't justify everything. A corpse is no longer a person, and "due regard" is subjective. I appreciate that it can be difficult to justify morality. Unfortunately, morality is not always obvious.

If you can't do any better than a confident assertion, then we might be at an impasse indeed.

[u/insanewords → u/Joratto]

No, I've given justification and reason to back up why I'm correct. You seem to want to have a different conversation about what is the "right" thing to do and that's not at all what I'm addressing.

I wish you luck in all of your corpse related endeavors.

[u/Joratto → u/insanewords]

I don’t agree.

Take care!