The Rationale of Suicide

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The Rationale of Suicide

Suicide is the killing of one’s self. Irrational suicide connotes the

killing of one’s self because of a mental illness or done impulsively

during an overwhelming crisis. Persons feeling this way almost always

lack self-esteem and rarely talk openly with appropriate loved ones

about what they plan on doing. The act is usually committed alone and

in secret which are often very violent and may disregard the health,

safety, and well being of others. Persons who receive adequate

treatment prior to an attempt, or failed attempt are often grateful to

those who stopped the attempt or sought help for that person.

Irrational suicide is frowned upon by all religious traditions.

Rational suicide includes the act of a terminally or incurably ill

person to hasten death. It is not done on impulse or because of a

mental illness but because of an enduring desire to end suffering of

the incurably ill. Any rational person would consider suicide an

option if they faced a disease destroying the quality of someone’s

life and the countless treatments used to fight it. Persons

contemplating a rational suicide maintain self-esteem and share their

thinking plan with one or more loved ones with consent and support. A

person contemplating a rational

suicide often prefers non-violent means and are concerned for the

health, safety, and well being of others.

Euthanasia is acting against nature and the processes of nature are

bent towards the end of bodily survival. Euthanasia may come into play

as a rational suicide. J. Gay Williams believes it is wrong because

someone might think they are terminally ill a...

... middle of paper ...

...though thought about and supported by others their

psychological state of mind is hindered by the illness and are in a

sense giving up by losing the desire to survive or overcome an

illness.

Works Cited

Kant and Suicide. Laurien Kurtesz.

www.ashbusstop.org/kant.html.

Copyright 2001-2003

Task Force on Life and the Law. The Ethical Debate.

Chapter 5, pg.77. Copyright 2001

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/patient/ chap5.htm

Intervention and Reflection. Ronald Munson.

J. Gay Williams-The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia

Wadsworth, 1996, Pg. 168-171

Euthanasia: Some Necessary Distinctions

Pg. 1-3, www-personal.umich.edu/~sdarwall/3551499.txt

Outline

I. Suicides

a. Irrational

b. Rational

II. Euthanasia

III. Plato

IV. Kant

V. Conclusion

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