Citation

Carpenter BD. Gerontologist 1993; 33(3): 359-365.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8325523

Abstract

Suicide is common in old age, but public opinion remains negative. Following a review of theories of suicide and a summary of arguments against suicide, this essay constructs an argument for why the elderly have a unique claim to an ethical, unobstructed suicide. That claim rests on their "developmental autonomy," based on the experience and wisdom of the elderly.

Language: en