Can it ever be right to commit suicide and if not is it always right to stop it?

[JayC9]

There has been a recent outpouring of concern recently in the euro press regarding teenagers and their vulnerability, their mood changes and instinct for self dramatization, about the role of the internet and media coverage in encouraging young people to imitate those who have committed suicide.

None of this is new of course, there is no suicide epidemic, though it’s surprisingly common, nearly twice as many people kill themselves as die on the on the roads each year, it’s the biggest killer of boys and men between the ages of fifteen and thirty five. But the finality of this ultimate rejection of life and the living is still chilling and strikes a nerve with a morally confused society.

Killing yourself is no longer illegal though helping or encouraging someone to do so remains a crime, but in an age the values personal autonomy over stoicism or duty we’re no longer sure it’s always wrong. Impressionable teenagers are one thing but surely doubly tragic for those that might not have lived. How can a healthy well balanced adult come to a rational conclusion that life is no longer worth living and act upon it?

 

[JayC9]

and good morning, have a great day

 

[Smurfy]

There has been a recent outpouring of concern recently in the euro press regarding teenagers and their vulnerability, their mood changes and instinct for self dramatization, about the role of the internet and media coverage in encouraging young people to imitate those who have committed suicide.

None of this is new of course, there is no suicide epidemic, though it’s surprisingly common, nearly twice as many people kill themselves as die on the on the roads each year, it’s the biggest killer of boys and men between the ages of fifteen and thirty five. But the finality of this ultimate rejection of life and the living is still chilling and strikes a nerve with a morally confused society.

Killing yourself is no longer illegal though helping or encouraging someone to do so remains a crime, but in an age the values personal autonomy over stoicism or duty we’re no longer sure it’s always wrong. Impressionable teenagers are one thing but surely doubly tragic for those that might not have lived. How can a healthy well balanced adult come to a rational conclusion that life is no longer worth living and act upon it?

they dont
suicide is not an option for the healthy and well balanced

 

[Sub-Zero]

they dont
suicide is not an option for the healthy and well balanced

i disagree with ya there smurfy...

look at it from all angles...

even if someone has never been depressed, or had a hard life, or even wanted to die, everyone has toyed with "what if i was gone, what if iv never existed, what if i left right now" scenarios in their head.

some people feel the need to die, but just arnt "balsy" enough, or are too scared to end it for themselves. in that id say that the only thing keeping them alive is fear of what comes next. thats not a very balanced and healthy mindset.

now take the person who feels like they have been there done it all. a truely smart person who thinks all the time, is always living up in their head. they start to realize how monotonous life is. they see life for what it really is...a pass time untill death. for them they arnt wanting to die, but maybe dont see the point in living? theyve accepted they spent enough time in this world and are ready to move on. thats more healthy and balanced in my eyes that scenario number one.

i think its stupid to judge someone based on their outlook on life, and label them unhealthy and inbalanced. they are just different...

 

[SpyWizard]

well, nothing to add to that comment

 

[GoldenDelicious]

its completely subjective, but ultimately the morality of such a decision depends on how rational it is ie an old person in extreme pain deciding that theyve had fun in their lives, but want to bow out = rational. an emo wanting to emulate their fave rock band lyrics = not so rational (regardless of how darwinian i feel about it lol)

 

[needtogetarmy]

It all boils down to an individual decision.

I am a proponent of freedom and if ones wishes to end their life then that is their decision. I am not saying suicide is morally or ethically permissible, but I am saying that if someone wants to end their life I ultimately have no say in the issue.

I had a good friend pass away a week ago. He sent out a poem, it had his intentions all over it. He hit a rough patch in life and most likely didn't want to continue. If I could go back I would have tried to do something, but even if I could go back in time would he have changed his mind? Probably not.

I will miss him.

 

[javaguru]

My father was a semi-vegetable and my mother wouldn't let him die. It's an individual choice, if someone is incapacitated and has no chance of recovery would you "make" them live longer Smurf? IMO, I would rather die than live as a vegetable paraplegic.

 

[JayC9]

they dont
suicide is not an option for the healthy and well balanced

So are you saying that anyone who has decided they want to terminate their life prematurely, is mentally unbalanced or unfit to make that decision due to the very fact they have no want to live? Surely as autonomous beings we have the right to make the decision to take away our own lives?

 

[Smurfy]

So are you saying that anyone who has decided they want to terminate their life prematurely, is mentally unbalanced or unfit to make that decision due to the very fact they have no want to live? Surely as autonomous beings we have the right to make the decision to take away our own lives?

the right? yes we have the right. im not disputing that.

do I think anyone in their RIGHT mind, a person of rational thought, would choose suicide as the answer? No I do not.

oh wait - exception - in the case of terminal illness.