Citation

Bergdolt K. Zeitschrift fur Medizinische Ethik 2009; 55(3): 289-302.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009)

DOI

10.14623/zfme.2009.3.289-302

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper introduces philosophical justifications and practical examples of assisted suicide during the period of the early Roman empire. Although such assistance was morally controversial, it was in fact practiced by prominent physicians as well as friends or relatives. Its ethical assessment cannot be separated from the fact that ancient thinking favoured or even glorified suicide in hopeless situations. Only the influence of Christianity eventually led to a change in attitudes, despite a certain enthusiasm for martyrdom. © Zeitschrift für medizinische Ethik.All rights reserved.

Language: de

Keywords

Suicide; assisted suicide; autonomy; Cicero; Seneca; Aristotle; Plato; stoicism