Citation

Stevens B. Revue Philosophique de Louvain 2003; 101(1): 71-79.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003)

DOI

10.2143/RPL.101.1.722

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The dominant meaning of voluntary death in Japan seems to be that of the suppression of self through altruism towards or reproach of the group. Thus it is less the psychology and the particular past of the individual than his feeling of belonging to the group which determines the circumstances from which the suicide is motivated. This will always be some kind of breaking of the vital bond uniting the individual to the group (dependence, obligation), which will make life unbearable for him and which will make him seek in voluntary death the most honourable way out.

Language: fr