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What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?

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Originally posted by slappy115
What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?
Having had someone in my own family commit suicide I can say that it's an enormous load to put on other people - so from that perspective I find it an entirely selfish action to take.
But the notion of the illegality of the act is a bit strange.
In a country like the US, which prides itslef on the rights of the individual over pretty much anything else, it strikes me as a bit incongruous that individuals can't be responsible for their own lives.

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Originally posted by amannion
Having had someone in my own family commit suicide I can say that it's an enormous load to put on other people - so from that perspective I find it an entirely selfish action to take.
But the notion of the illegality of the act is a bit strange.
In a country like the US, which prides itslef on the rights of the individual over pretty much anything else, it strikes me as a bit incongruous that individuals can't be responsible for their own lives.
Sorry to hear about your family member do that (and I did consider that their would be someone on the site who had had that happen. I almost didn't post it for that reason). I agree that it is a selfish act. But if you were in war and were constantly being tortured by the enemy because you were captured, could you justify it.

I agree with you about the illegality of it. If you want to do it, I guess you have the right to do it.

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Originally posted by slappy115
Sorry to hear about your family member do that (and I did consider that their would be someone on the site who had had that happen. I almost didn't post it for that reason). I agree that it is a selfish act. But if you were in war and were constantly being tortured by the enemy because you were captured, could you justify it.

I agree with you about the illegality of it. If you want to do it, I guess you have the right to do it.
From my own perspective, I don't see how you couldn't justify it at any time. I believe in the fundamental right of autonomy for any person - to do with your own body whatever you want to do.
But - personal experience or not - I wouldn't consider it myself, because I think it's a coward's way out of any difficult situation.

Of course, the situation you raise is an interesting one. Not sure how I would cope with torture (probably not very well I think) so I couldn't answer that one.

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Originally posted by slappy115
Sorry to hear about your family member do that (and I did consider that their would be someone on the site who had had that happen. I almost didn't post it for that reason). I agree that it is a selfish act. But if you were in war and were constantly being tortured by the enemy because you were captured, could you justify it.

I agree with you about the illegality of it. If you want to do it, I guess you have the right to do it.
By the way, don't be worried about your posting. It's the tough things, the threatening things, the eotionally difficult things that we should talk more about.

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Originally posted by amannion
From my own perspective, I don't see how you couldn't justify it at any time. I believe in the fundamental right of autonomy for any person - to do with your own body whatever you want to do.
But - personal experience or not - I wouldn't consider it myself, because I think it's a coward's way out of any difficult situation.

Of course, the situation you ...[text shortened]... I would cope with torture (probably not very well I think) so I couldn't answer that one.
See, I think about, sometimes to extremes, but to actually carry it out is a completely other subject. It was Nietzshe, I think, who said to the effect that "The thought of suicide is the thought of comfort for it will get a man through many a bad night." It is the thought, not the action, because there are always worse things in life than what you are going through.

I might, though, under torture.

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Suicide is illegal because it would be far too easy for one person to murder another, then justify that killing as an assisted suicide, which would obviously offer a viable legal defense for the killer.

-JC

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if I'm dying with an endless, and excruciating pain I would prefer suicide than to live in such a way my last days ... its my life not yours !

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Originally posted by slappy115
What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?
Most (if not all) jurisdictions in the US have long since abandoned the law making suicide a crime. It's now treated as a mental problem, not a criminal one, has been for many years.

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Originally posted by slappy115
What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?
Sounds like an american law alright 😛 lol

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Originally posted by slappy115
What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?
Suicide is easily justifiable. It's your body and your life; do as you will with it.

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Originally posted by slappy115
What are your thoughts on suicide? Is it justifiable under certain scenarios?

And this has always bothered me. Suicide is illegal in the US but how can you be punished if you're able to get away with the act?
Suicide is NOT illegal in the United States, it hasn't been for many years. It's treated as a mental problem, not a crime.

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Originally posted by General Putzer
Suicide is NOT illegal in the United States, it hasn't been for many years. It's treated as a mental problem, not a crime.
I caught you the first time my friend.

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Ending your life because you feel like it's the only way out is your choice. However, unlike saying something, it cannot be taken back.

The legality of suicide really has no bearing on the subject. I was just curious.

As for assisted suicides, if you want someone to end your life because you cannot, I see no problem with it. The person who does it has to the live with the choice he made, not me.

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Committing suicide is without a doubt a very selfish thing.
On the other hand it is indeed your life and you didn´t asked for it nor do anybody then you has to decide about it.

So IMO yes, everybody should have the right of chosing to end his life.

For sick people I would prefer those special clinics like in Switzerland where they can die in respect.

Non-sick people can only hope that they have very high buildings around or live in a state where its easy to obtain a as big as possible gun. Unless you have the balls of a samurai or you are very very sad.

So yes suicide is okay even when it is the living hell for your family.
Your life - why should you give a damn ?