Do you think suicide should be accepted as "normal"

[Forgetting5]

Like, society just accepts suicide as a decision anyone is allowed to make.

 

[yive]

of course, otherwise life is prison/torture/slavery/rape

 

[BlankUser]

Yes. Everyone should have a right to die whatever the reason. These are our bodies, our lives, we should be able to do whatever we want with them. This system is like a prison.

 

[All-Dead-Y]

It's certainly a dream of mine, to an extent. I wouldn't want to encourage anyone who is only temporarily depressed or easily treatable to ctb. But I kind of view it like taking a very risky job or moving far far away. A serious decision that needs to be carefully planned out.

Normalizing suicide can also normalize disscussions about suicide, so maybe we could get people the help they need sooner-- before they go past the point of no return. It could also help loved ones move on quicker. Death is never easy, but understanding someone's death and being aware of it ahead of time could make it easier.

Alas, it is but a dream, and the real world is never that nice

 

[FuneralCry]

Yes. A right to die should be a basic human right. Nobody asked to exist in the first place so we have no obligations to stay alive. Maybe complete normalisation might have an negative effect on society as people would act on impulse, but there should be an euthanasia system where someone's desire to die is understood and accepted.

It is barbaric to make people put up with extreme suffering and suicide should be recognised as an rational response for this, not something we have to prevent at all costs.It would make many people's lives better knowing there is a way out just in case things get unbearable and could make up for all the pain that this cruel existence has given them. There needs to be no stigma, open discussions, and the pro choice viewpoint acknowledged.

 

[sephlove]

Yes. You should have autonomy over your own body and life. There are already other forces (animal instinct to live and not die) keeping you from suicide, any extra measures seem almost unnecessary.

 

[LansJ70]

Yes. A right to die should be a basic human right. Nobody asked to exist in the first place so we have no obligations to stay alive. Maybe complete normalisation might have an negative effect on society as people would act on impulse, but there should be an euthanasia system where someone's desire to die is understood and accepted.

It is barbaric to make people put up with extreme suffering and suicide should be recognised as an rational response for this, not something we have to prevent at all costs.It would make many people's lives better knowing there is a way out just in case things get unbearable and could make up for all the pain that this cruel existence has given them. There needs to be no stigma, open discussions, and the pro choice viewpoint acknowledged.

It's strange isn't it. We all die anyway one day, so why insist people should struggle on in pain for years instead of letting them go.

Just because most people think life is important and valuable they think anyone who doesn't is wrong and need to be "fixed".

Really makes me angry when people in serious physical pain with a terminal illness (like cancer where they have maybe 2 months to live) are forced to carry on in agony as long as possible instead of letting them go in peace.

 

[whywere]

No and yes, how about that answer! Please let me explain, thank you! 1st off no, because society will never ever come around to think anything but no. Now I am be wrong on that aspect, heck I am a lot!, but in my 65 years here, I have not seen any movement to the contrary. Now on to the yes aspect of the global family members question, everyone should be able to decide for themselves their fate in this world. I am a strong proponent in euthanasia, AFTER like a year or so after being checked out as much as possible by the medical folks. I believe that mental health is no different than physical health. Just my 2 cents worth. Thank you for letting me give my thoughts on the matter. Walter

 

[I_just_cba]

It's a really interesting question. I've been rationally thinking about suicide for a while and I know it's something I want to do.

We live in a society where it's seen as a very wrong thing. Any suggestion of suicide is 'you should get help' or 'it will get better' or 'how could you be so selfish'.

But let's imagine that suicide is legal. Imagine if you were legally able to end your own life. My family and friends would have to accept it. I'd be able to tell everyone. I'd be able to have a goodbye party. I'd be able to plan everything I want, leaving a will, sorting my possessions, cancelling all my subscriptions. I'd be able to pass on peacefully and my family and friends would be prepared for it.

I absolutely think suicide should be legal if it's rational, planned and you have to tell other people about it. It's honestly ridiculous how we live in a world where you're allowed to be whoever you want, but you're not legally able to control your own body. There's something really flawed with the system.

 

[whywere]

It's strange isn't it. We all die anyway one day, so why insist people should struggle on in pain for years instead of letting them go.

Just because most people think life is important and valuable they think anyone who doesn't is wrong and need to be "fixed".

Really makes me angry when people in serious physical pain with a terminal illness (like cancer where they have maybe 2 months to live) are forced to carry on in agony as long as possible instead of letting them go in peace.

THANK YOU for such a wise and great post. I have seen folks with pancreatic cancer lying in bed, gasping for air till the very last second. Talk about cruel and inhuman treatment! If I ever get anything like that ctb all the way period! Walter

 

[Deleted member 8579]

Imagine any game you like.
Some people have a natural aptitude for it, some train a lot to improve their game, and some are hopelessly unfit for it.
Of those that train, some improve while the efforts of others are in vain.
Now imagine you are unfit for the game or you don't agree with the rules, perhaps you think that the training is not worth the effort or maybe you simply dislike playing it.
Why shouldn't you quit the game? If you realise that you don't want to participate, why should you be forced to do so?
Why should it bother anyone if you quit the game? There are more than enough other players to continue and it is your decision.
Every sensible person would agree with the above, yet you only need to substitute life for game/sports and the opinion of many changes.
Somehow, forcing a person to deal with life is acceptable, but forcing someone to become, say, a chess grandmaster is not.
Quitting a game you don't like is perfectly normal and sensible, and so should be quitting life.
Some might say that one can't compare a game to life. Of course they are right; a game is fair and has a set of rules everyone agreed upon.

 

[insanedoomer]

the most normal thing in earth !

 

[ExistentialEntropy]

The ultimate goal would be to live in a world where people never got to the point of feeling suicidal, because they always got the support and care they needed from society. But seeing as this is far from the case, and we live in a very flawed selfish society without any empathy, then suicide should be an acceptable path readily available those who choose to take it.

One of the main things preventing this from happening is the fact that it would be an admission of guilt, by society as a whole, to the idea that we have created a fucked up world that people want to escape from. People generally aren't comfortable facing up to that truth. Their answer is to donate a few coins to the Samaritans and pat themselves on the back for 'caring.'

 

[NeverReallyHere]

Well, I guess in an ideal world suicide would be something rare, so "normal?" No. But "accepted?" Yes absolutely. Ironically a society in which people's bodily autonomy (including the right to end one's own life) is accepted without judgement would probably have far fewer suicides than we have now.

 

[Superdeterminist]

Yes.

 

[WatermelonMel]

Yes absolutely! And regardless of what anyone thinks; it pretty much is normal with how often it is being done, society just doesn't want to accept that.

 

[Jean Améry]

My guess would be that you'll get a very high percentage of 'yes' votes on this one, lol. Comes with the territory, doesn't it? Anyone who answers 'no' is by definition a pro lifer (or pro sufferer if you will).

Of course I agree with the premisse in general. That being said I do think there is at least one category of people for whom suicide should not be legally allowed: parents whose children depend on them. In all other situations suicide should be allowed for reasons of personal autonomy and as a compensation for the brazen act of bringing said person into this world of pain and death.

Parents are pretty much bound by their own will: if you're going to create another human-being (which is your own choice) it's your damn, solemn moral duty to take care of that person and not harm them for aslong as you humanly can. At the expense of your own well-being if need be. It'll take a lot to relieve one of that self-imposed duty like being physically and/or mentally completely incapable of fulfilling the role of a parent. Even for those who feel worthless there should still be things they can do for their children.

Like prevention of harm: what child can grow up to be a normal, healthy adult if one of their parents decided to kick the bucket? Imagine what that must do to someone's self-esteem and well-being... The suicide of a parent makes it statistically more likely that a child will end up the same way: not a pleasant truth but a truth none-the-less.

With that exception I don't see any other valid reason to deny any adult the right to a painless self-chosen death. Nobody should be forced to live against their will and doing so (as sociey is wont to do whenever the opportunity presents itself) amounts to mere cruelty as Nietzsche correctly pointed out. In Kantian terms it's using another (the suicidal) solely as a means to an end (society's goals, preventing emotional turmoil and soul-searching about the meaning of life and suffering for those involved) and this is simply immoral. We're not here to serve others or the state at large.

It is quite true we're all going to die some day: since avoiding death is simply impossible what we should do and focus on is ensuring a dignified death where-ever possible.

It's simply ludicrous to assume that this would somehow depopulate the earth as human-beings are pretty much driven by the instinct to keep existing so under pretty much any legal system suicides will always be the small minority. Even if that wouldn't be the case it's virtually certain humanity is going to die out someday so staying alive and procreating amounts to simply delaying the inevitable.

 

[loopylou]

I think it should be upto the person who has to live within that body that decides when it can no longer carry on. Why should it be dictated by anyone that doesn't have to live it??

 

[ithappens]

My guess would be that you'll get a very high percentage of 'yes' votes on this one, lol. Comes with the territory, doesn't it? Anyone who answers 'no' is by definition a pro lifer (or pro sufferer if you will).

Of course I agree with the premisse in general. That being said I do think there is at least one category of people for whom suicide should not be legally allowed: parents whose children depend on them. In all other situations suicide should be allowed for reasons of personal autonomy and as a compensation for the brazen act of bringing said person into this world of pain and death.

Parents are pretty much bound by their own will: if you're going to create another human-being (which is your own choice) it's your damn, solemn moral duty to take care of that person and not harm them for aslong as you humanly can. At the expense of your own well-being if need be. It'll take a lot to relieve one of that self-imposed duty like being physically and/or mentally completely incapable of fulfilling the role of a parent. Even for those who feel worthless there should still be things they can do for their children.

Like prevention of harm: what child can grow up to be a normal, healthy adult if one of their parents decided to kick the bucket? Imagine what that must do to someone's self-esteem and well-being... The suicide of a parent makes it statistically more likely that a child will end up the same way: not a pleasant truth but a truth none-the-less.

With that exception I don't see any other valid reason to deny any adult the right to a painless self-chosen death. Nobody should be forced to live against their will and doing so (as sociey is wont to do whenever the opportunity presents itself) amounts to mere cruelty as Nietzsche correctly pointed out. In Kantian terms it's using another (the suicidal) solely as a means to an end (society's goals, preventing emotional turmoil and soul-searching about the meaning of life and suffering for those involved) and this is simply immoral. We're not here to serve others or the state at large.

It is quite true we're all going to die some day: since avoiding death is simply impossible what we should do and focus on is ensuring a dignified death where-ever possible.

It's simply ludicrous to assume that this would somehow depopulate the earth as human-beings are pretty much driven by the instinct to keep existing so under pretty much any legal system suicides will always be the small minority. Even if that wouldn't be the case it's virtually certain humanity is going to die out someday so staying alive and procreating amounts to simply delaying the inevitable.

I do agree that most parents make the choice to have children and therefor have a responsibility to care for them, but I'm curious what your stance is on people who unwillingly become parents? In the USA and some other countries birth control and abortion are freely available (as well as sex ed in some areas), but what about people who live in shithole, poverty stricken countries where sex ed is not a regular thing? Or super religious countries where abortion is not an option? If someone (particularly women since they are the ones who get pregnant) who lives in one of those countries and gets raped or has sex without fully knowing the consequences (possibly based off of misinformation they are taught) and winds up having a child, do they still have a moral obligation to stick around for that child and provide for them?

 

[voyager]

Yes, absolutely. Fore better or worse, have always held a nonconformist and antiauthoritarian stance, and believe we're all entitled to self-determination. Not just in matters suicide but all things. But what I believe and what the reality of society is, are usually not the same and most people seem to be fine with that.

 

[loopylou]

I do agree that most parents make the choice to have children and therefor have a responsibility to care for them, but I'm curious what your stance is on people who unwillingly become parents? In the USA and some other countries birth control and abortion are freely available (as well as sex ed in some areas), but what about people who live in shithole, poverty stricken countries where sex ed is not a regular thing? Or super religious countries where abortion is not an option? If someone (particularly women since they are the ones who get pregnant) who lives in one of those countries and gets raped or has sex without fully knowing the consequences (possibly based off of misinformation they are taught) and winds up having a child, do they still have a moral obligation to stick around for that child and provide for them?

What about parents who were mentally fine to conceive a child then fall ill ? I just lost a friend , who was a father to a 7 year old. It's heart breaking, but he was mentally sound when he decided to have a child

 

[ClownMe]

Yes, it should be. Most people don't understand how debilitating it is to live with a mental illness for an extended period of time.

 

[ithappens]

What about parents who were mentally fine to conceive a child then fall ill ? I just lost a friend , who was a father to a 7 year old. It's heart breaking, but he was mentally sound when he decided to have a child

This is another good point and I have known people who have gone through this. It's all well and fine that someone made a decision while healthy, but what do you do if you become so unhealthy to the point of being unable to care for the child? Shit happens in life that none of us has control over and I think it's a bit cruel to damn parents to a life of nothing but suffering just because they may have made a decision that seemed right at the time or made a mistake.

 

[death137]

Yes but not only general acceptance but also specifically accept free or low cost euthanasia to be provided everywhere.

 

[loopylou]

This is another good point and I have known people who have gone through this. It's all well and fine that someone made a decision while healthy, but what do you do if you become so unhealthy to the point of being unable to care for the child? Shit happens in life that none of us has control over and I think it's a bit cruel to damn parents to a life of nothing but suffering just because they may have made a decision that seemed right at the time or made a mistake.

Yep agree with you. I don't think anyone should be stigmatised for feeling so low they feel the best result is to die. For parents it's so bloody hard! Creating a life then choosing to leave that life behind without you. Dammit :(

 

[WornOutLife]

Absolutely!
Do you wanna live? LIVE
Do you wanna die? DIE!

It's that simple!

 

[death137]

What about parents who were mentally fine to conceive a child then fall ill ? I just lost a friend , who was a father to a 7 year old. It's heart breaking, but he was mentally sound when he decided to have a child

I think lots of awareness should be given that ppl shouldn't breed even if they are mentally fine.

I think parents have moral obligation to take care of their children but I also believe anyone has the right to die if they want. Overall I lean more towards the latter. I think the parent should apologize to the children that it was wrong they conceive them and try to make them understand about suicide and finally ctb.

 

[loopylou]

I think lots of awareness should be given that ppl shouldn't breed even if they are mentally fine.

I think parents have moral obligation to take care of their children but I also believe anyone has the right to die if they want. Overall I lean more towards the latter. I think the parent should apologize to the children that it was wrong they conceive them and try to make them understand about suicide and finally ctb.

Why shouldn't people have children if mentally sound? Not everybody thinks the worlds gone to shit. Not everybody finds no enjoyment or happiness from life. There is good to be had from life, even if you don't feel that yourself.

 

[death137]

Why shouldn't people have children if mentally sound? Not everybody thinks the worlds gone to shit. Not everybody finds no enjoyment or happiness from life. There is good to be had from life, even if you don't feel that yourself.

Yeah there is good in life but the bad outweighs the good.

 

[yive]

Yeah there is good in life but the bad outweighs the good.

the only thing that is guaranteed in life is suffering.
suffering is unacceptable and unnecessary. non-existence is better than life, because there is zero suffering