Is suicide selfish?

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O

OinkBoink

Senior member
Nov 25, 2003
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1.) Some people are of the opinion that suicide is selfish because of the pain it causes near and dear ones. That way, isn't giving birth selfish too? By procreating, you are converting inanimate matter into life and giving it the ability to feel pain. People don't choose to be born. They don't choose what they're going to look or be like. It's a bit of a gamble. And that's a risk parents are willing to take. Isn't that selfish?

2.) When a person really wants to die, why doesn't society allow him/her to ? Why don't they give them the means to have a painless death? Why is it always necessary to go on living? I mean, there's no rational reason behind it.

I'm looking for answers to both these questions.
 
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xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
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Having just witnessed a suicide attempt first-hand last weekend, I'd say it is selfish. I understand that people can reach a point in their life where they feel that death is the only solution, but causing others extreme pain by taking your own life is very selfish.
 
AFurryReptile

AFurryReptile

Golden Member
Nov 5, 2006
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I think it depends on your situation. In my case, I have a wonderful family and I'm happy with my life; so, if I were to off myself, people would miss me. It is a little bit selfish.

On the other hand, if I were living in constant pain, I don't know what I would choose. I don't know that it would be selfish to commit suicide to end suffering.

That said, I do know that nobody has to suffer. There is ALWAYS something that can be done to make your life better. Even if you have to pick up and leave the country to do it.
 
O

OinkBoink

Senior member
Nov 25, 2003
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xanis said:
Having just witnessed a suicide attempt first-hand last weekend, I'd say it is selfish. I understand that people can reach a point in their life where they feel that death is the only solution, but causing others extreme pain by taking your own life is very selfish.
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Isn't giving birth selfish too?
 
xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
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AFurryReptile said:
I think it depends on your situation. In my case, I have a wonderful family and I'm happy with my life; so, if I were to off myself, people would miss me. It is a little bit selfish.

On the other hand, if I were living in constant pain, I don't know what I would choose. I don't know that it would be selfish to commit suicide to end suffering.

That said, I do know that nobody has to suffer. There is ALWAYS something that can be done to make your life better. Even if you have to pick up and leave the country to do it.
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Well said. Especially the bolded part.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,404
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"Selfish" is a loaded word that gives a negative connotation from the start. Humans are selfish by nature, so doing anything that isn't selfish is being untrue to your self. Selfish is neither good nor bad. It's just a natural state.
 
Phoenix86

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
xanis said:
Having just witnessed a suicide attempt first-hand last weekend, I'd say it is selfish. I understand that people can reach a point in their life where they feel that death is the only solution, but causing others extreme pain by taking your own life is very selfish.
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Possibly, but it can also be compassionate depending on the circumstances.

Terminal illnesses, extreme pain, basically conditions that extremely limit quality of life.
 
xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
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nikhilesh said:
Isn't giving birth selfish too?
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Yes, I think it is in a lot of cases.

EDIT: Wow, time-warp galore in this thread. To answer the question in the manner that the OP is describing, no. If bringing a child into the world brings happiness to others (grandparents, parents, whoever), then I think it's not selfish. If you're bringing a child into the world for your own personal gain in some way, then it is very selfish.
 
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O

OinkBoink

Senior member
Nov 25, 2003
700
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AFurryReptile said:
I think it depends on your situation. In my case, I have a wonderful family and I'm happy with my life; so, if I were to off myself, people would miss me. It is a little bit selfish.

On the other hand, if I were living in constant pain, I don't know what I would choose. I don't know that it would be selfish to commit suicide to end suffering.

That said, I do know that nobody has to suffer. There is ALWAYS something that can be done to make your life better. Even if you have to pick up and leave the country to do it.
Click to expand...

Why does it always have to be about making your life better (even if it means having a sub par life)? Why can't one choose death if one wants to?
 
eits

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
25,015
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www.integratedssr.com
Phoenix86 said:
Possibly, but it can also be compassionate depending on the circumstances.

Terminal illnesses, extreme pain, basically conditions that extremely limit quality of life.
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euthanasia is a little bit different than suicide. 1, people who commit suicide are doing it because they're depressed and won't take the necessary steps to get better. 2, people who go through with euthanasia do it because their pain is too great and will never end because they are terminally ill and at the end of their life and there's no chance of things ever improving.
 
xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
nikhilesh said:
Why does it always have to be about making your life better (even if it means having a sub par life)? Why can't one choose death if one wants to?
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Because other people might love and care for you. What a lot of suicidal people can't comprehend is that you being alive means more to others than whatever problems you might be having.

This isn't so cut and dry, but if we're talking about fundamental rights, yes, people should have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies.
 
O

OinkBoink

Senior member
Nov 25, 2003
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eits said:
because you're killing someone other people love.
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Why should it matter to an individual if some people love him if he's under great distress? At the end of the day, only he can feel his own feelings and pain. So the whole 'you're killing someone OTHERS love' argument fails.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,404
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nikhilesh said:
Why should it matter to an individual if some people love him if he's under great distress? At the end of the day, only he can feel his own feelings and pain. So the whole 'you're killing someone OTHERS love' argument fails.
Click to expand...

Aside from that, death is inevitable. Tomorrow, next week, next year, next decade... When it happens doesn't make it any better.
 
xanis

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
lxskllr said:
Aside from that, death is inevitable. Tomorrow, next week, next year, next decade... When it happens doesn't make it any better.
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You're right, but the manner in which it happens makes all the difference in the world.
 
R

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
0
nikhilesh said:
1.) Some people are of the opinion that suicide is selfish because of the pain it causes near and dear ones. That way, isn't giving birth selfish too? By procreating, you are converting inanimate matter into life and giving it the ability to feel pain. People don't choose to be born. They don't choose what they're going to look or be like. It's a bit of a gamble. And that's a risk parents are willing to take. Isn't that selfish?

2.) When a person really wants to die, why doesn't society allow him/her to ? Why don't they give them the means to have a painless death? Why is it always necessary to go on living? I mean, there's no rational reason behind it.

I'm looking for answers to both these questions.
Click to expand...
I've always wondered about #2. Wouldn't that increase organ donations to a sustainable level and actually help the ones who want to keep on living?
 
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