matt wrote:
It seems to me that all choices are selfish. Even the most seemingly selfless actions are done for the purpose of making oneself feel better in some way, and I don't think the decision to commit suicide is inherently more selfish than other decisions.
It's possible to commit suicide for the explicit purpose of hurting others, but it doesn't seem that such a decision would be a common one. It seems that suicide happens more frequently when a person is dealing with a very significant amount of emotional stress and so doesn't perceive any way to end their stress except for ending their relationship with the stressful situations.
It's extremely difficult to take into account others' possible responses when considering suicide and it seems incredibly narcissistic of people to expect that suicidal people should consider others' feelings above said suidical people's respective desires to end what they think will be infinite suffering.
Calling suicidal people selfish and trying to make them feel guilty/worse doesn't seem like a reliable way to convince them not to kill themselves. Giving them some hope about an end to suffering and a more enjoyable life seems like it would be more effective.
Thank you! That's what I've been trying to say but you said it better than me.
_________________
'You're so cold, but you feel alive
Lay your hands on me, one last time' (Breaking Benjamin)
19 Sep 2010, 6:42 pm
