Is suicide selfish?

[Chronictank]

Yes, that´s why I said "...are no more or less selfish than...". My post wasn´t properly worded, the last sentence of this first break should have been: "Why would it be espcially (as in "more") selfish?"

My point was, that there is hardly a decision in life that´s not somehow selfish. Whatever you do, you almost always do it with a motivation that contains aspects of yourself.

Zenith, it´s always easy to judge things from the safe distance of a non-affected observer. You don´t know the internal circumstances or the exact motivation that drove this guy to pull the trigger. If someone is in an emotionally imbalanced state, you can hardly expect rational decisions. Most suicides are done over what other people would consider "inferior reasons". You can of course also pass the ball back to the wife of this guy and ask her: why didn´t she realise what was happening and why didn´t she try to keep him from doing it? Now, I don´t disagree with you (as pointed out above). Suicide has selfish aspects, no doubt. But it´s also selfish to expect people to stay alive JUST because YOU would have a hard time when they´re gone. Accusations are working both ways.

Suicide is selfish in circumstances,
example jumping in front of a train
you traumatise the driver, anyone around, inconvinience others (may come across as cold but sorry but i have 0 sympathy for people who jump in front of trains/buses/cars etc...)
So yes it is very possible for it to be selfish regardless of their personal circumstances

Killing themselves in private, well different scenario

 

[Binky the Bomb]

If your ending your life because of physical illness that will forever blight your life (and we're talking the big ones here) then no, its not selfish. When you have a big illness that's going to get a hell of a lot worse the longer you go on, it not only effects you, but those around you as well.

However, when it comes to mental illness and depression you have a bit of a grey area. True, some mental illness can be quite fatal (this includes homicidal tendencies too), and people not wanting to drag down others with them would see suicide as an acceptable (and less destructive) way out.

In those circumstances, its not selfish to not want to bring harm/suffering to others via our own illness. Just as log as the decision is theirs, and they are not being forced into it by other people.

As for the rest, the generally depressed and those who can't cope with a sudden, yet minor injury/disability..... I can't finish this without sounding like some callous bastard. There is help for these people, and there are ways of coping. If they are not willing to put the effort into their lives, then they should end it quickly, quietly, and without disrupting the lives of those around them, or the public at large (Futurama's suicide booths should start making more sense now).

Its all about perspective in the end. There is no right or wrong answer to this (Despite the religious dogma surrounding the subject).

 

[Fafnir]

Suicide the easy way out, living life is the hardcore style.

 

[Bugz]

Suicide isn't selfish - but not writing a will before you do it is.

 

[Olgaline]

tbh,
I've never met this suicide fellow!
so cant really say if he's being selfish or not.. :S

 

[Overdriven]

Selfish.

 

[Huntingtons]

not if you let me screw your wife first.

 

[Rubric]

Is suicide selfish?

Discuss!

Tragic i would say.