Ernest van den Haag

In the following viewpoint, Ernest van den Haag argues that there is no reason why mentally competent persons should not be allowed to end their lives if they so choose. He rejects both religious and philosophical objections to suicide, and maintains that it is only humans’ basic instinct to survive that has led them to condemn the idea of willfully choosing death. Van den Haag is a psychoanalyst and retired professor of jurisprudence and public policy.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is van den Haag’s response to the argument that suicidal people must suffer from a mental disorder?
2. According to van den Haag, why did Aristotle oppose suicide?
3. What is the key difference between murder and suicide, in the author’s opinion"

Whether and when we enter this world...