Can suicide be morraly justified ?

Question

I am not relegious. I am asking this question because it has been bugging me for a while and I cannot decide yet which is the true answear for this question.

Lets say that killing onself to prevent someone else from dying or to prevent something bad from happening is not suicide.

Answer 1

this question is very subjective. your answer will depend upon the view of ethics or morality that you ascribe to.

To go along with Kantian ethics, where every human is seen as a rational being that deserves to be treated with respect, and to have their own wishes respected. People that follow Kantian ethics would probably be against suicide, but would be able to understand and accept if someone was willing to commit suicide.

To go along with Utilitarian ethics, where each situation is analyzed and the greatest amount of good is strived for while limiting negative effects. In a situation where if one person had to commit suicide in order to ensure the survival of every other human, one that ascribes to utilitarian thinking would see suicide, in this situation, as permissible.

if one ascribes solely to religious morality, then suicide is not justified.

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Personally, I go with Kantian ethics. If someone seriously was that low to commit suicide, who am I to judge them as "wrong" or "bad"??


Remember, before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes... that way you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes.

Answer 2

Suicide.

No special law is found against this crime, for it is included in the prohibition against killing. Contrary to the practice and the philosophy of paganism, the act was held in deep abhorrence by the Hebrews because of the high value placed on human life. It was held inexcusable that any but the most degraded and satanic should lay hands on their own lives. Only the remorse of the damned could drive one to it, as witness Saul (1Sam 31:4) and Judas (Mt 27:5).

Answer 3

Well... depending on the circumstances yes. For a just cause maybe like dying to save many others. Because of the religion some practice and etc... So I guess yeah suicide can be morally justified.

Answer 4

Each person should have the final say over what happens to them and their life. And no, I'm not talking about criminals who get sentenced to prison because they already chose by committing crimes.

Suicide is the choice to say, I don't want to be alive anymore. Morally, it's equivalent to saying, I don't want to attend school anymore, or I don't want to look at the sky anymore.

Yes, some religions oppose suicide. That doesn't mean those religions get to decide what's moral for people who don't follow that religious code.

I don't advocate suicide, and I've worked on suicide prevention programs. I think that people choose suicide too easily, and do so when they are in emotionally unstable mindsets. I think suicide, like any other major life decision, should only be made when people are clear-headed and have had time to think about all the consequences.

People (including some posters above) say that suicide is selfish, or an act of cowardice. That's fine. So is refusing to go to college. So is refusing to have healthy relationships with other people. So is refusing to fight for what you believe in. But we don't condemnn cowards who choose to sit in their rooms and do nothing but read books.

As for leaving people behind, we do that every time we make any major change in our lives. Moving off to school leaves everyone behind. Talking a job across the country, or in another country, leaves everyone behind. Walking out into the wilderness and living off the land leaves everyone else behind. Turning off your phone and refusing to talk to people leaves them behind. But we don't condem those actions.

People can only ever be responsible for their own lives. We have no control whatsoever over how other people feel about us. We can't control if they are happy or sad or angry. We can't force them to love us or want us. So, the argument that leaving people is unfair to them because it causes them pain is unrealistic. We can't control what other people feel about us, so we can't be responsible for their feelings either.

In the end, suicide, like any other major personal event, should be an individual choice. It's a choice of last resort (by definition), but in the end it's a choice that only the individual should make.

Answer 5

I've known a few people who killed themselves. It's a very difficult and painful question to ponder. I don't really have the answer, but have a few questions:

Where, specifically, in the Bible does it say suicide condemns one to Hell?

Is suicide wrong if the person thinks they are doing it to fix a situation?

If you're living in Hell, and can't take it anymore, how is it not justified?

Answer 6

Why are you asking this question? And from what philosophical or religious base do you come?

In certain countries under certain circumstances suicide was mandated for political or military reasons.

But as a Christian I believe that life belongs to God, even our own life, and that the length of our life and our death also belong to Him. Thus, it is not our right to take our own life. Therefore, my answer would be no.

Answer 7

There are some situations in which suicide might save the lives of many people. Carrying hand grenade outside to save a school bus full of children, for example.

Answer 8

*bump for coragryph*

After countless interactions with people, being tended to in childhood and growing up, it's really a hit when someone kills themself. It's really inefficient and disappointing.

If you are super-depressed and can't take it anymore, I can understand the reason. And if you were put in a dire situation, such as a concentration camp, you might know how that person is feeling.

To force someone who perpetually doesn't want to live, to live -- I think may be likewise immoral.

Answer 9

Yes. If you believe that you have a right to your own life, then you have the right to end your own life.

The caveat is that you exercise that right for appropriate reasons, considered in full context. Would it be morally correct to kill yourself to spite your family? No, not if you value your life and happiness on Earth as your number one priority. Would it be morally correct to kill yourself if you were suffering a terminal illness from which no recovery is possible and due to which nothing but suffering remains for you? Absolutely.

There are plenty of examples in either direction, but hopefully this illustrates the principles for you.

Answer 10

If I don't own me, then who does? You, the state, one of the gods? I can think of many reasons why ending it all would be perfectly rational, selfish & moral. Serious agonizing illness would be a top candidate. Being stuck in a concentration camp would be another.

Answer 11

Nope, I'm afraid not. I think that some people do it with the best of intentions...i.e. they are terminally ill and don't want their families to have to endure it. However, suicide is condemned in the Bible, and I believe there is no REAL justification.