Some Semi-Detached Thoughts on Suicide

[Please note I wrote this essay many years ago, and no longer fully support all the arguments presented here (not that the core ideas are wrong per say, just that the particular arguments used here are flawed). I’m keeping this up for archival purposes, but please don’t assume this is what I currently believe]

“Should I kill myself?” This is a question many have asked, and few have answered publicly. Those who say yes can’t speak for themselves, on account of being dead. Those who say no are likely not to talk about it, due to the stigma against suicidal ideation. The truth is, many people have these thoughts, and it’s normal to occasionally wonder. It’s tempting to say “just say no,” but that’s avoiding the issue. For some people, particularly those who are clinically depressed, these thoughts cannot just be avoided. The purpose of this essay is to look at the issue of suicide, in an unbiased, almost clinical matter. It is my hope that this may help some who are forced to live with these darkest of thoughts.

When suicide comes to mind, the first question should be why one wishes to kill themselves in the first place. The answers to that are many, and cannot be completely covered in this essay. As such, only the most prevalent reasons will be addressed here. A common answer is that “life is too hard. It would be easer if I was dead.” Perhaps the thinker has a terrible family life, or a stressful job. Perhaps just the movements of day-to-day living are too much. Whatever the reason, the thinker believes that death would provide some sort of release from the stress.

But would it? If one believes in an afterlife, this is not necessarily true. After all, most religions believe suicide to be a bad thing, leading to punishment in the next world. Killing oneself would be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Most would agree that being bullied is better than literal hell. But what if one is an atheist? If there is no afterlife, would death not be better than suffering?

The answer to that is complicated. When one makes such a statement, the core assumption is that not existing is better than existing. There are two different ways to respond to that. One way is to think of those who one cares about. If there is even one person who would be devastated by losing them, is it not worth it to stay alive for that friend? After all, the only reason for killing oneself is to decrease suffering in the world. If someone cares about the sufferer, it would be almost certain that suffering would increase instead.

Let’s say, however, that the sufferer does not have anyone who cares. In that case, would not suffering decrease? Probably not. After all, if one is at the point where suicide seems like a viable choice, things are probably at a low point. At such a state, it is probably near impossible to imagine things getting worse. And that’s a good thing. For if things can’t get worse, the only way to go is up. Things will get better, simply because there’s no other way for them to go.

This leaves only one option left where suicide would be good. If one is an atheist, without any friends, who is contemplating suicide, and also knows for a fact that things will only get worse, then and only then is suicide a logical option. I don’t know if such a person exists.

I hope this helps clarify the issue of suicide, in a logical and straightforward manner. If you feel I missed something, or am incorrect in my assumptions, feel free to comment below.