Resource Is suicide rational (video)

[TheGoodGuy]

It got shared here some time ago but I think more people should see it and the graph in which he illustrate his point is perfect. And don´t worry you don´t have to watch the whole video it´s just in the beginning he is talking about the rationality of suicide using the graph which in essense comes back to the old saying a picture says more than a thousand words.

 

[Jean Améry]

I already knew the online lectures by professor Kagan. While I commend him for at least acknowledging the possibility of suicide being rational (not an easy thing to do in our culture) I find his economics inspired approach to be lacking.

For one how does one measure pain and happiness?

Usually one can't know what the future will hold so to state that suicide is (only) rational when the balance of experience remains below zero defies reality as it'll usually be impossible to establish that timeline extending into the future.

I would say the main characteristic of rational suicide is a well-thought out decision based on the available evidence coupled with the absence of external pressure (in the form of others pressuring the person) and the ability to think logically and clearly. Which is probably missing in a lot of suicides.

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I already knew the online lectures by professor Kagan. While I commend him for at least acknowledging the possibility of suicide being rational (not an easy thing to do in our culture) I find his economics inspired approach to be lacking.

For one how does one measure pain and happiness?

Usually one can't know what the future will hold so to state that suicide is (only) rational when the balance of experience remains below zero defies reality as it'll usually be impossible to establish that timeline extending into the future.

I would say the main characteristic of rational suicide is a well-thought out decision based on the available evidence coupled with the absence of external pressure (in the form of others pressuring the person) and the ability to think logically and clearly. Which is probably missing in a lot of suicides.

You can easily measure if your suicide is rational if you have chronical problems like me.

And I agree suicide is also rational if it´s well thought out as you mentioned which I also have many more times than needed to. But to me almost all suicides are rational because it´s about escaping some form of pain maybe a person just don´t like the hardships of existing that is a valid rational reason in my book because if a person isn´t happy and haven´t been for years then it is indeed rational.

 

[Kumachan]

Door 1 certain 1 week of torture AND 1 week of wonderful vacation after that.
door number too leads to dreamless sleep for a year. What would you choose?:)

assymetry not to be sneezed at