1. Most suicidality is not rational, although some cases may be rational. 2. If some suicides are to be socially/legally permitted or assisted, there will need to be some method for determining whether or not the suicidal person is making a rational choice. 3. There's no way to make that determination objectively; the process would inevitably be contaminated by prejudices and assumptions about what makes a life worth living. 4. So the only safe ground is to say that we won't permit anyone to commit suicide. 5. Some people will be determined enough to do it anyway, but at least this way we're not putting a stamp of social approval on the idea that lives like theirs have no value.
no subject
1. Most suicidality is not rational, although some cases may be rational.
2. If some suicides are to be socially/legally permitted or assisted, there will need to be some method for determining whether or not the suicidal person is making a rational choice.
3. There's no way to make that determination objectively; the process would inevitably be contaminated by prejudices and assumptions about what makes a life worth living.
4. So the only safe ground is to say that we won't permit anyone to commit suicide.
5. Some people will be determined enough to do it anyway, but at least this way we're not putting a stamp of social approval on the idea that lives like theirs have no value.