Citation

Leenaars AA. Death Stud. 2006; 30(6): 539-553.

Comment On:

Death Stud 2006;30(6):511-27

Comment In:

Death Stud 2006;30(6):555-60

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16773774

Abstract

People who have committed a certain sin ought to be dead; I am a person who has committed that sin; therefore, I ought to be dead. Thus is the logic of a suicidal mind. Lester, Szaz, and others argue the 'sinner' should always be allowed to kill him/herself. Shneidman, Leenaars and others do not agree. Once one knows the suicidal mind, it is easy to conclude the suicidal mind is not rational. The first premise is false! Therefore, the question is not, "Is suicide rational?" but "What is suicide?." Once you know the suicidal mind, you will agree with Shneidman and Leenaars, not Lester. Is it a good death if the sinner kills him/herself because he/she committed a certain sin?

Language: en