Citation

Neira H. Ideas y Valores 2017; 66(164): 151-179.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017)

DOI

10.15446/ideasyvalores.v66n164.45177

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In its definition of "suicide", the dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy opts for a philosophical position that distances itself from some public health objectives and points of view, in order to emphasize the nature of suicide as an intimate act carried out by a subject capable of action. The boundaries of the concept are unclear: There is a continuum between suicide and death due to natural or accidental causes or reckless behavior. But suicide can only be the result of a sovereign act, and, therefore, someone who lacks will cannot be a suicide. This makes it possible to discuss the proposals of B. Spinoza and I. Kant, as well as some of the public health approaches that disregard the sovereign nature of suicide.

Language: es

Keywords

B. Spinoza; Ethics; I. Kant; Public health; Suicide