Charles McCawley Suicide Collapse ✓ Solved

Charles McCawley Suicide Collapse Top of Form Suicide Suicide

Suicide has been present throughout our history and the opposing views, beliefs, or attitudes regarding suicide have also been just as varied. Possibly the first recorded suicide in history dates back to the time of Pharaoh Ramses II (BC) in which a story from two centuries earlier was recorded about two brothers who had committed suicide. Some questions that people have regarding suicide are: 1. Is suicide a sin? 2. Is suicide a crime? 3. Is suicide morally wrong? 4. Can suicide be forgiven? How do we answer the question to what some have claimed to be the “one serious philosophical problem?” So, in order to answer these questions, I will review suicide from the viewpoint of the Divine Command Theory.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) Life as a creation of God is good and as such the taking of a life is a sin and morally wrong. According to the Bible, God prohibits us from intentionally taking one’s life for he stated, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) Murder is defined as “the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought.” Since suicide is the intentional taking of a life, it violates God’s prohibition of murder and as such is a sin and morally wrong. I have established that suicide is a sin and morally wrong, but is it a crime?

Until as recently as 1966, Britain considered suicide to be a crime and suicidal attempts were punishable by death. But not all societies view or have viewed suicide as a crime. Instead those who commit or attempt to commit suicide are viewed as “misguided or sick.” Which leaves us to answer, “Can suicide be forgiven?” All sin can be forgiven. This is the message throughout the Gospel, that our sins are forgiven through God’s grace and mercy. When Paul stood before Agrippa, he told of an encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus and the Lord said to Paul “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18) However, not all people and societies throughout history had the same views upon suicide.

Ancient Rome was one such culture that accepted suicide and Epicureanism and Stoicism, the two prominent philosophical schools of the time, approved of suicide and during this time suicide was “praised for widows who followed their husbands after death.” In the Middle Ages, Vikings occasionally committed mass suicides “at the end of banquets in order to gain entry to Valhalla.” Also from the 12th century to as recently as 1970, the Japanese have performed voluntary and obligatory suicide known as seppuku. Seppuku came to be as a honorable method for the samurai class in feudal Japan to take their own life to avoid being captured by the enemy in battle.

Paper For Above Instructions

The topic of suicide is complex and deeply intertwined with cultural, historical, and philosophical beliefs. In this paper, I will explore the dynamic views on suicide throughout history, how these views have shifted due to societal changes, and the moral implications of suicide as viewed through Divine Command Theory.

The Divine Command Theory suggests that moral obligations are grounded in the commands of God. In various religious traditions, such as Christianity, the view of life as sacred and given by God leads many to regard the act of suicide as a sin. The biblical commandments, particularly those prohibiting murder, extend to the act of taking one’s own life. The reasoning here is that if human life is a sacred gift, then to end that life voluntarily is to reject God's authority and plan.

As we trace back to the earliest records of suicide, we see that cultures have varied significantly in their acceptance or condemnation of the act. For instance, in Ancient Rome, philosophical schools such as Epicureanism and Stoicism held nuanced views on suicide. Stoics, in particular, viewed it as an acceptable response to unbearable circumstances, which is contrasting to modern interpretations under many religious frameworks. They viewed death as a natural part of life, where personal agency could justify the decision to end one’s suffering.

Conversely, during the Medieval Ages, certain cultures, like the Vikings, embraced suicide as a noble choice under specific circumstances. They believed that ending one’s life, particularly in battle or at the close of a feast, ensured entry into their afterlife in Valhalla. This contrasts sharply with contemporary views that often pathologize suicide, seeing it instead through the lenses of mental health and societal dysfunction.

In modern society, the stigma surrounding suicide remains potent, blending with public health perspectives that emphasize mental illness. Today, suicide is frequently viewed through the lens of compassion and understanding, with awareness campaigns highlighting the need for empathy rather than judgment towards those struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Importantly, the question of whether suicide can be forgiven is particularly poignant. From a theological perspective, many religious traditions argue for the possibility of divine forgiveness through God's grace. Yet, individuals preoccupied with this notion often grapple with despair, potentially feeling that their actions rendered them beyond hope. This existential dilemma can impede those who would seek help, complicating the cycle of suicidal ideation and behavior.

In recent decades, suicide prevention initiatives have evolved, driven by research indicating that many individuals who attempt suicide do not wish to die but rather seek relief from insufferable pain. This recognition has prompted many societies to view suicide more as a public health crisis rather than a moral failing or crime.

The social discourse surrounding suicide and its implications continues to evolve. The historical context reflects a tension between accepting agency over one's life and recognizing the sanctity of life as perceived in various religious beliefs. It denotes a struggle not merely of individual choice but also of societal responsibility in mitigating the factors that contribute to suicidal behavior.

In light of these discussions, it is essential to recognize that while suicide has been viewed differently across cultures and eras, the contemporary view is inching closer to understanding and prevention rather than condemnation. This shift emphasizes the importance of discourse surrounding mental health and the moral imperatives of compassion.

Therefore, suicide remains a critical topic requiring continued reflection and research, as it implicates profound ethical questions about life, agency, and mortality. This inquiry must be informed by a diverse array of perspectives, including theological, philosophical, and psychological frameworks, to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.

References

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• Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “murder,” accessed June 15, 2020.
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