There is no moral/ethical justification for prohibiting suicide

[Zzzzz]

There is no (ethical) reason why suicide should be illegal. No reason why anyone (or at least adults, with our current laws) cannot go to a doctor and request a lethal prescription. There is no right to tell anyone that they MUST live, for any reason. It's still tyranny, just with "good intentions. "

 

[TAW122]

Agreed and a little caveat (at least from some legal experts and what not) is that there are people who say suicide is not illegal, it has been decriminalized, but what they really mean by that is that you can't be charged with a crime by just merely attempting suicide itself or planning it (unless you did something illegal during the commission or acquisition of the tools/method), but what they did NOT ever say is the civil consequences, such as but not limited to: being involuntarily hospitalized, committed against your will, detained and forced treatment, then being financially charged (billed) with treatment that you never consented nor agreed to, losing your civil rights (especially firearm ownership and possession), having a mental health record that will show up on background checks, affecting your future professional life/career, and last but not least, social consequences such as stigma and ruined social relationships (people treating you differently, losing friendships, and etc.). I despise anyone who tells me otherwise, tries to downplay, whitewash, or condone the mental health system as they are clueless or blatantly ignorant of all the (possible) consequences of prohibition of suicide. Hell, in fact, I believe the way we treat suicidal people are worse than we treat suspected criminals. At least suspected criminals have the right to remain silent, get a lawyer (even a shitty public defender), and afforded due process.

So in a sense, suicide might not be illegal in the sense of committing a crime, but the consequences of a failed attempted or plan for suicide is just as bad that it is de-facto illegal.

 

[Smilla]

Excellent post.

Please google "Suicide is a Civil Right" by Lawrence Stevens JD.

It is by far the best argument I have read for the right to commit suicid—succinct, replete with sources from experts/philosophers/literarti, and I am sure many here would agree with ALL of his arguments which are logically and factually argued without veering into sentimentality.

I'd post it but I am on my phone.

He touches on every argument against suicide in a logical way, emphasizing that every person has a right to their own personhood.

 

[pleasethistime]

imho, the knowledge that assiste suicide is legal and a peaceful and quick death is possible for you would make lot of people's mental state better. it would decrease anxiety disorders and depression worldwide. it would eliminate fears such as being severely injured, handicapped, vegetable etc. would diminish suicidal fears and turn them into enjoyable fantasies.

 

[M]

Government doesn't want to lose those precious tax dollars that they earn from us.

 

[Lifeisatrap]

It's the most fundamental right of all. No one asks to be born, the right to die should be legal by default. The fact that it even has to be refered to as "a right to die" is insane as it's the most basic freedom to do with one's self what one wishes. "Mental illness" is determined by social incompatability, no different than denying rights to homosexuals simply for living a lifestyle that the majority doesn't agree with.

 

[Zzzzz]

Excellent post.

Please google "Suicide is a Civil Right" by Lawrence Stevens JD.

It is by far the best argument I have read for the right to commit suicid—succinct, replete with sources from experts/philosophers/literarti, and I am sure many here would agree with ALL of his arguments which are logically and factually argued without veering into sentimentality.

I'd post it but I am on my phone.

He touches on every argument against suicide in a logical way, emphasizing that every person has a right to their own personhood.

Thanks for sharing that . Fantastic article.

 

[GeorgeEastman]

Doesn't matter if we're right or wrong. We are way outnumbered.

 

[Zzzzz]

Agreed and a little caveat (at least from some legal experts and what not) is that there are people who say suicide is not illegal, it has been decriminalized, but what they really mean by that is that you can't be charged with a crime by just merely attempting suicide itself or planning it (unless you did something illegal during the commission or acquisition of the tools/method), but what they did NOT ever say is the civil consequences, such as but not limited to: being involuntarily hospitalized, committed against your will, detained and forced treatment, then being financially charged (billed) with treatment that you never consented nor agreed to, losing your civil rights (especially firearm ownership and possession), having a mental health record that will show up on background checks, affecting your future professional life/career, and last but not least, social consequences such as stigma and ruined social relationships (people treating you differently, losing friendships, and etc.). I despise anyone who tells me otherwise, tries to downplay, whitewash, or condone the mental health system as they are clueless or blatantly ignorant of all the (possible) consequences of prohibition of suicide. Hell, in fact, I believe the way we treat suicidal people are worse than we treat suspected criminals. At least suspected criminals have the right to remain silent, get a lawyer (even a shitty public defender), and afforded due process.

So in a sense, suicide might not be illegal in the sense of committing a crime, but the consequences of a failed attempted or plan for suicide is just as bad that it is de-facto illegal.

Then I would simply use the word prohibited rather than illegal. Suicide needs to be recognized as among the most fundamental of human rights and protected by the law as such. It should be illegal to interfere with a suicide. It should be illegal to resuscitate a suicidal individual.

 

[Buddyluv19]

There is no (ethical) reason why suicide should be illegal. No reason why anyone (or at least adults, with our current laws) cannot go to a doctor and request a lethal prescription. There is no right to tell anyone that they MUST live, for any reason. It's still tyranny, just with "good intentions. "

Thank you for this post.

 

[Buddyluv19]

So in a sense, suicide might not be illegal in the sense of committing a crime, but the consequences of a failed attempted or plan for suicide is just as bad that it is de-facto illegal.[/QUOTE]

 

[Buddyluv19]

This point from an earlier post, as pep reading as it is, is so true. Thanks for this thread.

 

[Buddyluv19]

Government doesn't want to lose those precious tax dollars that they earn from us.

I have been honestly paying taxes for over 35 years. However, now that I am sick and can't work, the government can't get tax money from me. Wouldn't it be better to get rid of me? Then it would be a savings for future Social Security and Medicare payments I have 'paid into' but am not elligible for 10 more years!

 

[MsM3talGamer]

Agreed. No one has the right to dictate to us whether we should live or die. It's a basic human right to choose to die if we wish. I'm disgusted how at pro-lifers try to force sick people to live in an abhorrent condition. Every country should have voluntary euthanasia. As long as the system isn't abused, it would ease a lot of suffering.

 

[Buddyluv19]

This point from an earlier post, as pep reading as it is, is so true. Thanks for this thread.

I meant to write 'depressing' (not ' pep reading'). Damn text editor spelling correction!

 

[Shewaitsforme]

I agree, everyone should be able to choose but within reason. Only problem i see is pro-lifers saying it could lead to vunerable people being coerced into committing suicide. A family that is poverty stricken may choose to try unload some of the burden by getting rid of their sick family members, old family members reducing financial issues. The system would fall down because of these people who will prey on people they consider uncontributing members of society. Those who could be helped falling through the gaps there would have to be a system in place and i fear it would be very very complex. I guess my pro-choice is coming from a tried everything else first approach but that would be down to the person to decide if they have tried everything, some people wont, my partner didnt, she was depressed but didnt seek help at all now shes gone.

 

[Shewaitsforme]

Excellent post.

Please google "Suicide is a Civil Right" by Lawrence Stevens JD.

It is by far the best argument I have read for the right to commit suicid—succinct, replete with sources from experts/philosophers/literarti, and I am sure many here would agree with ALL of his arguments which are logically and factually argued without veering into sentimentality.

I'd post it but I am on my phone.

He touches on every argument against suicide in a logical way, emphasizing that every person has a right to their own personhood.

Good article :)

 

[Zzzzz]

Only problem i see is pro-lifers saying it could lead to vunerable people being coerced into committing suicide

The problem with that argument is it is a double standard against suicidal people. Every day, many vulnerable people are coerced into living when they don't want to. They continue to suffer against their will. This is just as wrong as coercing people to die. The solution to this problem is that it be illegal to coerce anyone either to live or die. Let each person choose for themselves. Anything else is inhumane.

 

[Shewaitsforme]

The problem with that argument is it is a double standard against suicidal people. Every day, many vulnerable people are coerced into living when they don't want to. They continue to suffer against their will. This is just as wrong as coercing people to die. The solution to this problem is that it be illegal to coerce anyone either to live or die. Let each person choose for themselves. Anything else is inhumane.

Exactly but since when are pro-lifers gonna understand that. They will do whatever they can to keep people here even if that means years in hospital

 

[Jessicastripout]

whenever I see posts about morals on any site, I have to ask

where do your morals come from

Do you think there's no justification because you don't believe in objective morality, because you have some other set of supposed objective morality, or some other reason

not saying i disagree with OP, just curious.

 

[Zzzzz]

whenever I see posts about morals on any site, I have to ask

where do your morals come from

Do you think there's no justification because you don't believe in objective morality, because you have some other set of supposed objective morality, or some other reason

not saying i disagree with OP, just curious.

Because I believe forcing people to live (or die) is wrong.

 

[Zzzzz]

Agreed and a little caveat (at least from some legal experts and what not) is that there are people who say suicide is not illegal, it has been decriminalized, but what they really mean by that is that you can't be charged with a crime by just merely attempting suicide itself or planning it (unless you did something illegal during the commission or acquisition of the tools/method), but what they did NOT ever say is the civil consequences, such as but not limited to: being involuntarily hospitalized, committed against your will, detained and forced treatment, then being financially charged (billed) with treatment that you never consented nor agreed to, losing your civil rights (especially firearm ownership and possession), having a mental health record that will show up on background checks, affecting your future professional life/career, and last but not least, social consequences such as stigma and ruined social relationships (people treating you differently, losing friendships, and etc.). I despise anyone who tells me otherwise, tries to downplay, whitewash, or condone the mental health system as they are clueless or blatantly ignorant of all the (possible) consequences of prohibition of suicide. Hell, in fact, I believe the way we treat suicidal people are worse than we treat suspected criminals. At least suspected criminals have the right to remain silent, get a lawyer (even a shitty public defender), and afforded due process.

So in a sense, suicide might not be illegal in the sense of committing a crime, but the consequences of a failed attempted or plan for suicide is just as bad that it is de-facto illegal.

Isn't the definition of illegal something that is prohibited? It just seems a bit dishonest for lawyers or whoever to say suicide is not illegal when it seems to fit the definition clearly. And apparently the definition of "legalization " means fully allowed. It seems like suicide is both illegal and decriminalized in many places.

 

[I am ___________]

That is what is wrong with this society/world. People think they have the right to control other people. The power they think they have is not real nor tangible, it is purely superficial. No one has the right to decide for another for anything, that is what I firmly believe. Just like when my dad was alive he enjoyed smoking cigarettes, if he wants to do it then let him be. If it's what makes him happy then you have no right to intrude. If people could just leave others alone, the world wouldn't be as bad as it is. Sadly a world like that is not possible in this one...