Discussion A Stoic Perspective on Impulse and Courage in CTB

[Deleted member 1465]

Also, I find your bibliographical entry sexy as hell

Weirdo Me too

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

Yeah, I find trustworthiness sexy. If the PPH used academic citations, I'd be spending a lot more of my evenings cozied up with it than this forum.

 

[TAW122]

We need to be warned and strengthened in both directions – not to love or to hate life overmuch. Even when reason advises us to make an end of it, the impulse is not to be adopted without reflection or at headlong speed. The brave and wise man should not flee from life but withdraw from it.

- Seneca


I find this quote to be an affirmation of the oft-given advice on this forum to not rush, but instead to research, plan, and reflect, and it's okay to change your mind and to wait.

I also find it helps me to shift my perspective when I am afraid. Ctb is the most rational choice for me, but my fear rises up when I am in fleeing mode, not only from circumstances but, especially, from the act of dying. The idea of a withdrawal from life is empowering and calming to me. This now guides me and will likely be one of my last thoughts.

Really well said. I too have pondered and planned my suicide very thoroughly. There has been numerous times in my life where I decided, "well if things don't work out/go to plan/get what I want/etc., then I'll CTB". This mindset has allowed me to take risks and do things I normally wouldn't have the courage to do, and fortunately, I managed to succeed, thus I am alive throughout all of last year (2019) and then in 2020. (though that will change soon.. 2020 will very certainly be my last year)

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

Bumping because I've been seeing posts lately about getting courage to ctb, and posts about struggles with impulsiveness, whether intrusive or desired to overcome SI.

There was some good discussion in this thread, I got a lot out of it and still refer to it, maybe others will benefit as well.

Also would enjoy more conversation here if anyone would like to join in or contribute.

 

[Exitforme]

Bumping because I've been seeing posts lately about getting courage to ctb, and posts about struggles with impulsiveness, whether intrusive or desired to overcome SI.

There was some good discussion in this thread, I got a lot out of it and still refer to it, maybe others will benefit as well.

Also would enjoy more conversation here if anyone would like to join in or contribute.

Indeed.

It is nevertheless unfortunate that we are fundementally beings who are driven by both emotional AND rational stimulants.

As such, even if the circumstances of our life are such that it makes complete logical sense to end life, we most probably won't go through with it without a sufficiently pressing emotional push.

I'd even argue that emotional volatility is more likely to completely override logical reason that the inverse (ie: actions committed in the "heat of the moment" occur frequently)

 

[Cashewmilk]

My last, I guess attempt I was totally at peace. I was actually matter of factly and not emotional at all. I think in my warped messed up mind and dead soul I am ready and willing at anytime.

That's like me. I am ready and willing to die at anytime. If I was in a plane about to crash or trapped somewhere about to blow up with other people, everyone else would be freaking out but I'd be so chill and relaxed. I am that way now, my survival instinct is slowly withering away. I have attempted too many times and truly believed I was going to die, many times, I'm desensitized.

 

[StateOfMind]

I feel like stoicism is not something most people strive for but is enforced on one by age and experience.

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

I feel like stoicism is not something most people strive for but is enforced on one by age and experience.

I had a reaction to this comment of it being jarring. Not because I disagree with it, but that I don't see how it relates to the conversation with regard to a Stoic perspective on courage and impulse in suicide, or to rational, Stoic justifications -- even encouragement -- for suicide.

Would you be willing to elaborate on how the comment was meant to engage with or contribute to the conversation?

 

[Notabadguy]

Cato the Young, considered in the I AC Rome, a model of Virtue and Stoicism, when the Civil War was lost, he took his own life. But first he had to prepare himself for several hours, reading Plato and meditating. Something similar occured with Jesus, the night before his death, he asked the Father to remain alive and escape suffering, but he also said that he wiil endure whatever His will was.

What I'm trying to say is that death is not easy even for the better human beings.