NCJ Number
46975
Date Published
1978
Length
142 pages
Annotation
REFORMS IN LAW, ETHICAL TEACHINGS, AND MYTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD ARE URGED TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF ADVOCATION OF RATIONAL SUICIDE FOR THE ELDERLY WHO WOULD CHOOSE IT.
Abstract
THE DEGENERATING AND HUMILIATING ASPECTS OF GROWING OLD ARE PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR, HERSELF A SENIOR CITIZEN, TO SHOW THAT SUICIDE MAKES SENSE FOR THOSE TRAPPED IN MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, OR PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT MAKE THE CONTINUATION OF LIFE IRRATIONAL AND INHUMANE. A HISTORY OF PERSPECTIVES ON SUICIDE IS SKETCHED, INCLUDING CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM, GREEK APPROVAL, 19TH CENTURY REASONING, AND PRESENT-DAY EXAMPLES OF OLDER CITIZENS WHO FEEL THEY NO LONGER WANT TO BE BURDENS TO RELATIVES AND SOCIETY AND WISH TO END THEIR LIVES WHILE THEY CAN STILL MAKE THAT DECISION FOR THEMSELVES. IT IS ARGUED THAT LAWS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED TO GIVE PARAMETERS FOR SUICIDES THAT MAKE SENSE IN THE LIGHT OF A PERSON'S DETERIORATING UNCHANGEABLE CONDITION. IN DISCUSSING THE RELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF ATTITUDES TOWARD SUICIDE, IT IS NOTED THAT THE BIBLE CONTAINS NO SPECIFIC OR EVEN IMPLIED PROHIBITION OF SUICIDE. POST-BIBLICAL CIRCUMSTANCES STIMULATING ANTISUICIDE ETHICAL PRONOUNCEMENTS ARE MENTIONED, AND SUCH PRONOUNCEMENTS ARE CONDEMNED AS BEING TOO GENERALIZED AND ABSOLUTE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT A SUICIDE ETHIC SHOULD BE BASED ON A 'BALANCE SHEET' MEASURE OF A PERSON'S LIFE CONDITION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS TO DETERMINE IN EACH CASE WHETHER OR NOT SUICIDE WOULD BE MORAL. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS SUICIDE METHODS IS DISCUSSED, AND WAYS OF CHANGING THE PUBLIC'S ATTITUDE TOWARD AND LEGAL PARAMETERS OF SUICIDE ARE SUGGESTED. A LIST OF READINGS IS INCLUDED. (RCB)