How popular is suicide?

[Jagella]

Do you like the idea of people freely choosing to die? This isn't a discussion about the ethics or legality of suicide but a search to see what proportion of people in society see suicide as a free choice to die. Do most people want to be able to kill themselves without being prevented by the authorities to do so? Or is the idea of freely choosing suicide a minority opinion?

 

[amatuerscholar]

I think this may be addressing the question in the wrong way. Suicide isn't really popular, in that most see it having a negative stigma. Now, if you're talking about the right to end one's life, that becomes more popular, depending on the actual situation. For instance, the idea that one should be able to have something like physician assisted suicide, or something along those lines that allows one to cease living when they are at the end of their life, are terminally ill, or will die but it will be slow and painful, is more popular in general.

The idea of simply committing suicide though isn't popular, especially since more often than not, committing suicide is often something decided upon during a time of turmoil, when the person isn't necessarily thinking straight.

So the question is troublesome.

 

[ChristineM]

I think the idea of suicide is a minority option until the time where life makes it a feasible way out.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Albert Camus wrote: “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest — whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories — comes afterwards. These are games; one must first answer.”

I think that most people in the world have made that judgment -- that life is definitely worth living -- and do everything in their power to continue living. But surely, that seems to be also the most subjective of all philosophical questions, because in answering it, we are answering with "whether my life is or is not worth living to me." How on earth would any of us be able to answer that question for anybody else?

And if, in someone's own considered estimation, their life is not worth living, on what compulsion would any of us be right in insisting that they do so, anyway?

 

[Jagella]

I think this may be addressing the question in the wrong way. Suicide isn't really popular, in that most see it having a negative stigma. Now, if you're talking about the right to end one's life, that becomes more popular, depending on the actual situation. For instance, the idea that one should be able to have something like physician assisted suicide, or something along those lines that allows one to cease living when they are at the end of their life, are terminally ill, or will die but it will be slow and painful, is more popular in general.

What is the difference between suicide and the right to end one's life? You appear to be saying that seeing suicide as a right is more popular than actual suicide. Is that correct?

The idea of simply committing suicide though isn't popular, especially since more often than not, committing suicide is often something decided upon during a time of turmoil, when the person isn't necessarily thinking straight.

So the question is troublesome.

I think that might answer my question. People can sit back in their armchairs calmly speculating how they would prefer to die rather than live with pain or some other problem. But when "the grim reaper is nigh," the terror of actually dying can change one's mind about wanting to die. I should know because I've been in that situation. So yes, assuming that suicide is desirable is popular and I think based on ignorance. Most of those lauding suicide will never do it because the reality of suicide is far worse than what they imagine.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I think this may be addressing the question in the wrong way. Suicide isn't really popular, in that most see it having a negative stigma. Now, if you're talking about the right to end one's life, that becomes more popular, depending on the actual situation. For instance, the idea that one should be able to have something like physician assisted suicide, or something along those lines that allows one to cease living when they are at the end of their life, are terminally ill, or will die but it will be slow and painful, is more popular in general.

The idea of simply committing suicide though isn't popular, especially since more often than not, committing suicide is often something decided upon during a time of turmoil, when the person isn't necessarily thinking straight.

So the question is troublesome.

I think in critical terminal situations it can be justified. In most cases it should be heavily discouraged, but at the end of the day, I think it's a person's choice if they want to off themselves.

 

[Jagella]

I think the idea of suicide is a minority option until the time where life makes it a feasible way out.

I assume your answer is that suicide is generally unpopular. The reason I started this thread is because in my many online debates over the moral acceptability of suicide, the overwhelming response was that suicide is not only morally acceptable but a human right. It appears that most people, at least in person, harbor thoughts of suicide but don't avow it.

 

[Jagella]

Albert Camus wrote: “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest — whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories — comes afterwards. These are games; one must first answer.”

I think that most people in the world have made that judgment -- that life is definitely worth living -- and do everything in their power to continue living.

OK, then your answer is that suicide is generally an unpopular notion.

But surely, that seems to be also the most subjective of all philosophical questions, because in answering it, we are answering with "whether my life is or is not worth living to me." How on earth would any of us be able to answer that question for anybody else?

And if, in someone's own considered estimation, their life is not worth living, on what compulsion would any of us be right in insisting that they do so, anyway?

These are very interesting questions, but excuse me if I don't address them on this thread. My goal here is to see what people have to say about how popular suicide--or the right to suicide--is to them and most other people.

FYI, I've discovered that people online, many of them atheists, are overwhelmingly in favor of the right to die for others. But when I told them to go ahead and exercise that right for themselves, they suddenly became offended.

 

[Koldo]

OK, then your answer is that suicide is generally an unpopular notion.

These are very interesting questions, but excuse me if I don't address them on this thread. My goal here is to see what people have to say about how popular suicide--or the right to suicide--is to them and most other people.

FYI, I've discovered that people online, many of them atheists, are overwhelmingly in favor of the right to die for others. But when I told them to go ahead and exercise that right for themselves, they suddenly became offended.

What does being in favor of people having a given alternative available has to do with people exercising that alternative at a very specific moment ?

 

[Vinayaka]

Passive suicide seems very popular these days. Smoking, drinking, and unhealthy diets are all related to depression in some way, and science concludes you'll likely die quicker because of such habits.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

FYI, I've discovered that people online, many of them atheists, are overwhelmingly in favor of the right to die for others. But when I told them to go ahead and exercise that right for themselves, they suddenly became offended.

That is a very poor attempt at analysis. I am not in favour of dying myself -- I'm old, and lots of pains, but I still have my partner, and I still enjoy life.

Yet, I am still very much in favour of giving people the right to die if they want to.

So let me ask you to think of it the other way around. Let us say that you are NOT in favour of the people chosing the right to die for themselves. If I ask you, "would you like to die now?" you will of course say "no!" But what if you suddenly found yourself with a terrible illness, one that will leave you unable to do anything for yourself, that will kill you in 3 years, drowning in your own saliva, wracked with pain that only drugs that will take your mind away from you will relieve. Would you be happy to do that for 3 years?

Of course, I can't answer that for you. Maybe you would. I think that I would not, but I'm grateful that I've not been forced to make the choice. But I cannot deny to others to make the choice for themselves, if it were to happen.

And it does happen...

 

[Eternal Thetan]

Do you like the idea of people freely choosing to die? This isn't a discussion about the ethics or legality of suicide but a search to see what proportion of people in society see suicide as a free choice to die. Do most people want to be able to kill themselves without being prevented by the authorities to do so? Or is the idea of freely choosing suicide a minority opinion.

No, I do not like the idea of people choosing to die freely. I feel bad for anyone who does have such thoughts, but allowing suicide would create an oppressive system. This gives our institutions an incentive to not care for the poorer population that cannot afford the care they need. Allowing people to kill themselves would be a failure of our society in most circumstances. There may be a few exceptions, but in a vast majority of cases, intervention should be necessary.

 

[Jimmy]

Passive suicide seems very popular these days. Smoking, drinking, and unhealthy diets are all related to depression in some way, and science concludes you'll likely die quicker because of such habits.

Most people aren’t aware of what they’re doing, will shorten their lifespan. As they get older they’ll get wiser regarding such matters and make changes or try to.

 

[Jimmy]

All choices are free.

 

[Nakosis]

Do you like the idea of people freely choosing to die? This isn't a discussion about the ethics or legality of suicide but a search to see what proportion of people in society see suicide as a free choice to die. Do most people want to be able to kill themselves without being prevented by the authorities to do so? Or is the idea of freely choosing suicide a minority opinion?

It is popular enough to be legalized in most countries. IOW in most places it is not a crime.
However attempted suicide is still illegal in some of those places.

So if you succeed in killing yourself, no crime. However trying to kill yourself and failing is illegal. (in some areas)

 

[Jagella]

What does being in favor of people having a given alternative available has to do with people exercising that alternative at a very specific moment ?

I'm not sure if I understand your question. I don't recall arguing that. I just want to know how many people support free-choice suicide. Please address that topic.

 

[Heyo]

Do you like the idea of people freely choosing to die? This isn't a discussion about the ethics or legality of suicide but a search to see what proportion of people in society see suicide as a free choice to die. Do most people want to be able to kill themselves without being prevented by the authorities to do so? Or is the idea of freely choosing suicide a minority opinion?

One of the best sources on death and suicide is this series of lectures: Death | Open Yale Courses.
The last three sessions are specifically about suicide. Kagan explains when suicide is rational and how it can be moral or at least amoral.
Resulting from these lectures (and other influences), I conclude that free-choice suicide, including assisted suicide, should be a human right. Just make sure that it is a free and persistent choice. And that nobody has a right to assistance, the assistance also has to be a free choice.

 

[Koldo]

I'm not sure if I understand your question. I don't recall arguing that. I just want to know how many people support free-choice suicide. Please address that topic.

I am addressing your post. You stated: "But when I told them to go ahead and exercise that right for themselves, they suddenly became offended."

Since I support people possessing the right to have a same-sex spouse, would you tell me to have one myself... even though I am heterosexual? Must I necessarily engage in every right I support?

 

[Jagella]

No, I do not like the idea of people choosing to die freely. I feel bad for anyone who does have such thoughts, but allowing suicide would create an oppressive system. This gives our institutions an incentive to not care for the poorer population that cannot afford the care they need. Allowing people to kill themselves would be a failure of our society in most circumstances. There may be a few exceptions, but in a vast majority of cases, intervention should be necessary.

Well said! I agree. How many people do you know that have that same position?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Do you like the idea of people freely choosing to die? This isn't a discussion about the ethics or legality of suicide but a search to see what proportion of people in society see suicide as a free choice to die. Do most people want to be able to kill themselves without being prevented by the authorities to do so? Or is the idea of freely choosing suicide a minority opinion?

No, I do not support suicide and believe society has an imperative not to support it, either. I will probably be a social worker working with vulnerable populations so it would be pretty awful of me to think suicidal people should just be allowed to off themselves. It's common practice for people threatening suicide to be forced into the psych ward and put on, at least, a 72 hour hold. The cops will make you go if they're called, regardless of if you want to or not. And you know what? Nothing about that should change.