Is comitting suicide a selfish act?

[Aiden]

Mhmmm I'm going to say yes...

[James]

It depends. In some ways I guess it is because it's relieving your pain, but creating more for your loved ones who will miss you and have to live everyday knowing you're gone.

But on the other hand, if they do want to, it should be their choice then they should have the right to.

Off topic: Yay 500th post.

[Vodafone]

It isn't selfish no, you own your life - not the state, your family or your friends.

Well put. It isn't an easy decision either.

[CrazyLemurs]

A lot of people see it as selfish but I cannot fathom how you could be so self-absorbed to think so
If you're trying to convince (or in some cases force) someone to keep being alive even if they absolutely despise it so that you don't have to suffer the pain of not seeing someone, you're committing as harsh an act as they would be.
Besides, if the person you love and want to stay alive doesn't want that themselves, you should recognise that any fair person would let them live (or get rid of) their life in whatever way they want. This is why the law/s against suicide has/have been repealed.

[Kardan]

A lot of people see it as selfish but I cannot fathom how you could be so self-absorbed to think so
If you're trying to convince (or in some cases force) someone to keep being alive even if they absolutely despise it so that you don't have to suffer the pain of not seeing someone, you're committing as harsh an act as they would be.
Besides, if the person you love and want to stay alive doesn't want that themselves, you should recognise that any fair person would let them live (or get rid of) their life in whatever way they want. This is why the law/s against suicide has/have been repealed.

This isn't really about creating laws or anything, just whether in some cases, can suicide be seen as selfish? And as some people have said, they're situations where it can be seen as selfish. Of course, if we start talking about leaving loved ones behind rather than the method of committing suicide that causes the selfishness, then you would have a point about 'forcing' people to not commit suicide. I guess it depends what you're judging it on.

[CrazyLemurs]

This isn't really about creating laws or anything, just whether in some cases, can suicide be seen as selfish? And as some people have said, they're situations where it can be seen as selfish. Of course, if we start talking about leaving loved ones behind rather than the method of committing suicide that causes the selfishness, then you would have a point about 'forcing' people to not commit suicide. I guess it depends what you're judging it on.

But what I'm saying is that there are almost no situations suicide should be perceived as selfish, and I don't really see what effect the method might have on the 'selfishness' of the act. Dying quietly with a lethal mixture of drugs in your bathroom alone is just as selfish/unselfish as say, jumping from a very high place.

[Kardan]

But what I'm saying is that there are almost no situations suicide should be perceived as selfish, and I don't really see what effect the method might have on the 'selfishness' of the act. Dying quietly with a lethal mixture of drugs in your bathroom alone is just as selfish/unselfish as say, jumping from a very high place.

What about someone jumping in front of a train at a crowded train station? That will have an impact on all of the people watching at the station, not to mention the train driver. It will also cause delays which causes an impact up and down the country (depending on the line etc.) and can cause damage to the station and the train.

As you said, a non selfish way would be taking a lethal amount of drugs alone. Would you not say that jumping in front of a train is more selfish than taking drugs in your bathroom?

[CrazyLemurs]

What about someone jumping in front of a train at a crowded train station? That will have an impact on all of the people watching at the station, not to mention the train driver. It will also cause delays which causes an impact up and down the country (depending on the line etc.) and can cause damage to the station and the train.

As you said, a non selfish way would be taking a lethal amount of drugs alone. Would you not say that jumping in front of a train is more selfish than taking drugs in your bathroom?

I can accept the former would be much more impacting to others as well as traumatising, but I don't see what kind of selfishness that would be
The person would be dead near-instantly and not be able to reap the sadistic satisfaction of seeing so many dozens seeing that kind of pain, so what would s/he be able to benefit in either situation?


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[Kardan]

I can accept the former would be much more impacting to others as well as traumatising, but I don't see what kind of selfishness that would be
The person would be dead near-instantly and not be able to reap the sadistic satisfaction of seeing so many dozens seeing that kind of pain, so what would s/he be able to benefit in either situation?


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There is no benefit, but that's not what selfishness is. They are being selfish in that situation because they are only thinking about themselves, and not the negative impact it could have on other people.

[CrazyLemurs]

There is no benefit, but that's not what selfishness is. They are being selfish in that situation because they are only thinking about themselves, and not the negative impact it could have on other people.

But, if the problem lies with how their suicide may affect those around them, maybe there will become a time when we accept suicide and as a result are somewhat desensitised to it. It is a person's last wish, when it comes down to it, and whilst jumping in front of a moving train is not considerate to others, it may just be something we have to learn to accept as a part of society


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