The Concept of Rational Suicide
Creator
Mayo, David J.
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. 1986 May; 11(2): 143-155.
Abstract
Suicide has historically been condemned on theological grounds and, more recently, as symptomatic of emotional disturbance and mental illness. However, the indiscriminate use of modern life-sustaining technologies has led to an interest in voluntary euthanasia on the grounds of compassion and self determination and to a revived discussion of rational suicide. Proponents of rational suicide defend the practice as a competent decision when it is made on the basis of realistic beliefs and in the light of the person's fundamental interests and long-term values. The most obvious cases of rational suicide involve the termination of suffering, but Mayo also considers reasons other than self-interest. These include self-sacrificial suicides that advance altruistic values and expressive suicides that demonstrate a fundamental interest in a cause or situation. (KIE abstract)
Date
1986-05Subject
Altruism; Attitudes; Autonomy; Compassion; Competence; Euthanasia; Health; Historical Aspects; Illness; Life; Mental Health; Motivation; Mental Illness; Philosophy; Psychiatry; Psychological Stress; Right to Die; Suffering; Suicide; Self Determination; Terminally Ill; Theology; Values; Voluntary Euthanasia;
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The Concept of Rational Suicide
Mayo, David J. (1986-05)