Philosophers and Suicide

[midas77]

It is not off topic professor frost. As Aedes had said, One must be self consious of being a philosopher. I think this is essential in trying to look into the value one man have to his life in his decision to take away his life for whatever reason. Which makes me think, If there is a historical instance in which a philosopher suicide because of his philosophical finding, the meaningless of life for example.

[Aedes]

Originally Posted by midas77

Which makes me think, If there is a historical instance in which a philosopher suicide because of his philosophical finding, the meaningless of life for example.

Suicide strikes me as emotional and not intellectual. And a philosopher is no more susceptible than the rest of us of being shattered by meaninglessness (or more capable of resisting it), though a philosopher might be able to articulate it better. Camus and Sartre were both very interested in the existential crisis, i.e. the brutal realization that life is meaningless, and Camus in particular looked at the suicide question. At any rate, neither one committed suicide (though Camus' death in a car crash was one of the great ironies in philosophy, because his argument for the absurdity of life was founded on the idea that you could die randomly at any time).

One notable suicide was my favorite author (or one of my 2 or 3 favorites), Yukio Mishima. He publicly committed seppuku in 1970 the day he finished his greatest work (The Sea of Fertility, which is a tetralogy of four novels starting with Spring Snow). He was into the old samurai culture and had some views of Japan's decay and decline; and he took over some government office with some followers and then some of them publicly killed themselves.

It was strange, though, because it was NOT really because of meaninglessness -- that type of suicide in Japanese culture seems the opposite -- suicide is honorable and glorious and it preserves meaning. And this, in fact, links right up with Camus. As I recall, he felt that the actual act of suicide is the last moment in which someone exerts control, i.e. makes a decision. It's the critical moment where one has the power to decide whether to live or die. (He phrases it differently, but that's the idea).

[Holiday20310401]

Is this even allowed to be discussed on the forum, but seriously, if anybody has reason to commit suicide would they share it. Here's a better question. Is suicide an action generally committed by the insane (or mentally hindered), or by the sane, just not at the same standpoint as the intellect of the social norm.

[Didymos Thomas]

Is this even allowed to be discussed on the forum, but seriously, if anybody has reason to commit suicide would they share it.

People give all sorts of justifications for end their lives. Hunter S. Thompson's justification was, basically, that life was boring.

Here's a better question. Is suicide an action generally committed by the insane (or mentally hindered), or by the sane, just not at the same standpoint as the intellect of the social norm.

I'm not a doctor, but I have to seriously question the mental stability of anyone who plans and commits suicide. In at least some regard, a suicide must be insane, or at least not entirely sane.

[Holiday20310401]

Why did Hunter believe life was boring?!
Is there any way to make it so that my signiture doesn't pop up every time I reply?

[Didymos Thomas]

Here are two articles on the matter; they are the first to pop up on google, and both handle the matter responsibly and respectfully. The first is a shorter piece, the second contains details about his post-death tribute, worth reading about anyway.

Last Words: A Testament to Hunter Thompson

Football Season Is Over : Rolling Stone

As for your sig, beats me. Justin is the master mind of all the technical stuff - it's a wonder I can even figure out how to post.

[midas77]

This is exactly my point Aedes. Can a philosopher be so emotionally attached to a concept so much so that he can intelectually justify its actualization.

Didythomas,

I read in Leo Tolstoy journal that there was a time in his life that life provides no meaning that he actually hides rope and gun from himself to avoid the temptation.

I hope people here does not misunderstand me. But most existentialist philosopher suffer from this angst. And Camus certainly dwells so much in this matter. I am looking for an philosophical suicide instance, to better understand the existentialist emotional attachment to an intellectual finding.

[Didymos Thomas]

Can a philosopher be so emotionally attached to a concept so much so that he can intelectually justify its actualization.

Someone who conjures up rationalizations for their emotions, I do not think, has a real justification. If I get angry, feel bad for being angry, and then develop some rationalization for my being angry, do I have an honest rationalization, or am I just trying to ignore the fact that I shouldn't have been angry?

[Khethil]

Originally Posted by midas77

This is exactly my point Aedes. Can a philosopher be so emotionally attached to a concept so much so that he can intelectually justify its actualization.

This is a good one. I've never thought of it this way. I could easily see someone taking the position that the realization, through action, of a philosophical position careully considered is taking philosophy to its highest level (i.e. 'Living It"). When we ponder the implications for suicide; however, it takes on a dark implication.

But I've always believed (particularly in Ethics) that not just resolving it, but living it, is the holy grail of philosophy.

[Professer Frost]

Is there any way to make it so that my signiture doesn't pop up every time I reply?

I think so. I'll try unchecking the "Show your signature" box next to the Quick Reply. If it works as planned I should have no signature for this post.
- Frost