Question

Americans are living longer than ever before, living with chronic pain and suffering that might not, at least for some, make that life worth living. The example of Admiral Nimitz and his wife, for example, is one of two people of sound mind choosing to end their lives. Can suicide be morally justified in such circumstances, or do people have an obligation to continue living? Defend your position. If you believe people have an obligation to continue living, where does it come from? To whom is that obligation owed? If you believe that suffering justifies suicide in old age, what other contexts are there in which you think suicide is morally justifiable? Read and respond to two classmates' posts, preferably two students with different views, being respectful of the strong opinions that may be shared and the experiences that led to them.

Answer 1

I think in this context in particular, suicide is morally justifiable. Certain conditions that befall individuals during old age tend to be accompanied by immense physical and psychological pain, the subjective experience of which maybe unbearable. In such a situation, it requires great strength to carry on with life and find meaning in it as well. There are other delibiitating conditions that come to my mind as well, such as a prisoner of war tortured by the enemy who would never be released. Any extreme situation in which life shows no light of hope or the possibility of a better day would justify suicide in my opinion.