Philosophy of suicide

[Piotr_Stepanovith]

I was reading "The Devils" by Dostoevski and in this book have a guy called Kirilov who deseveloped a theory that suicide is the most act of freedom who a human can do. He's a Nihilist atheist, so his argument is that you become a god when you decide when you live and when you die. What you think about?

 

[FuneralCry]

Of course suicide is the greatest act of freedom, as after all it's our way of taking control over this existence that we were so cruelly burdened with. So much in our life is determined by factors that we have limited control over and the one thing in which there is the potential for us to control is when we die. Suicide certainly does represent freedom, as suicide solves all problems and there are no disadvantages to being dead. One cannot be harmed by death as life in itself is the source of all harm and I always see it as being preferable to control when we die rather than waiting for circumstances out of our control.

 

[Twoped538]

Having children is also a great act of freedom (if done on purpose). The problem I have with that quote is that it almost glorfies suicide.

 

[Caoine01]

The phrase, "Suicide is the freest act a man can do" cannot be interpreted alone. It must be read in the relevant context.

If someone commits suicide without need, I can completely agree.

Unfortunately, the reality is different. People who are driven by mental or physical illnesses, or who suffer from economic or social constraints are not free, not even remotely. Her suicide is the only way to escape these constraints. Suicide does not turn them into gods, for gods are feared and revered.

In every "goodby post" I recognize a human sacrifice that our society has demanded in order to continue as before.

And don't we do the same on SaSu? Who else remembers @purplehearted?

How long does the worship of a departing last here? Days, hours, minutes if not seconds.

I find it a pity that there is no digital virtual cemetery where you can leave flowers or candles for the people who have accompanied you here.

 

[NambaSutra]

I think most people who do suicide would probably want to be forgotten. No need to inflict suffering on other people more than necessary.

 

[Himalayan]

Makes no sense in my opinion.

 

[resolutory]

I heard a similar quote once, something like 'Suicide is the greatest triumph of will a person can have over their body.'

 

[eternalbliss22]

I was reading "The Devils" by Dostoevski and in this book have a guy called Kirilov who deseveloped a theory that suicide is the most act of freedom who a human can do. He's a Nihilist atheist, so his argument is that you become a god when you decide when you live and when you die. What you think about?

I'm not an atheist nor do I believe in any of the man made religions. Christianity has to be the worst of them all. It's dangerous to think of taking a life, even if it's your own, as powerful as a God. I do believe individuals that have succeeded demonstrate true strength of will & courage. I admire & dream of being able to follow their footsteps.

 

[Twoped538]

My take on this is that we live in a world in which practically any person depends on many other people, who in turn have their demands. So from the start of your life you have to take into account the opinions of many others and meet their expectations or face the consequences. The act of ending your life is, i.m.h.o. one of the few things in which a person should be totally autonomous. This obiviously doen not mean that the effects of suicide on friends and family should not be considered by the person who is about to end his/her life. It just means that this person must have the final say in it, which can only be achieved if there is access to a humane method of ending ones life.

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

You were a god if you could decide to live forever.