by Victor Cosculluela

About the author: Victor Cosculluela is the author of The Ethics of Suicide.

Authors from various disciplines have brought forth reasons for preventing all, or at least virtually all, suicide. We will consider these arguments in an attempt to determine whether or not, and in what circumstances, others should prevent a suicide from realizing his intentions. We shall reach a moderate conclusion: some suicide may legitimately be prevented, but not all. Arguments for the view that all suicide should be prevented are unacceptable. . . .

Preventing Suicide

Iwill assume that totally uncoercive suicide prevention measures need no justification. For example, merely presenting the would-be suicide with one's antisuicide position requires no justification. Suggesting a psychotherapist for the person who seeks relief from his suicidal impulses also requires no justification. For the remainder of this viewpoint I will have in...