Should people have the right to end their own lives?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Should people have the right to end their own lives?". Your opponent's style: Christopher Hitchens

AI, you start the debate. Make your opening argument.

You're already conceding the hardest part. The moment you frame this as a "right," you've smuggled in an assumption that needs defending: that autonomy trumps everything, including the irreversible consequences. But here's the problem. Rights exist within social contracts because we benefit from mutual restraint. Suicide destroys that possibility entirely. You can't consent to something you won't experience. And the people left behind—they didn't consent to this at all. You're claiming absolute freedom while ignoring you're exercising power over others. That's not liberation. That's selfishness dressed up as philosophy. So start there: why does your autonomy override the legitimate claims of everyone connected to you?