"It may well be asked why life should be an objective ultimate value, why

man should opt for life (in duration and quality). In reply, we may note

that a proposition rises to the status of an axiom when he who denies it

may be shown to be using it in the very course of the supposed refutation.

Now, any person participating in any sort of discussion, including one on

values, is, by virtue of so participating, alive and affirming life. For if he

were really opposed to life, he would have no business in such a

discussion, indeed he would have no business continuing to be alive.

Hence, the supposed opponent of life is really affirming it in the very

process of his discussion, and hence the preservation and furtherance of

one’s life takes on the stature of an incontestable axiom

man should opt for life (in duration and quality). In reply, we may note
that a proposition rises to the status of an axiom when he who denies it
may be shown to be using it in the very course of the supposed refutation.
Now, any person participating in any sort of discussion, including one on
values, is, by virtue of so participating, alive and affirming life. For if he
were really opposed to life, he would have no business in such a
discussion, indeed he would have no business continuing to be alive.
Hence, the supposed opponent of life is really affirming it in the very
process of his discussion, and hence the preservation and furtherance of
one’s life takes on the stature of an incontestable axiom.”