The Morality Of Suicide Throughout The Ages - 1697 Words

The Morality of Suicide Throughout the Ages â€Å"Every man has the right to risk his own life in order to preserve it. Has it ever been said that a man who throws himself out the window to escape from a fire is guilty of suicide?† This quote, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, notes very clearly that suicide may be justifiable in certain situations, but society generally doesn’t define this type of act as suicide because of the stigma associated with the word itself. Suicide can be more than just killing oneself over emotional distress; it can include honorable suicide, and euthanasia, which all have further reaching implications especially when analyzed throughout history. Origin and Development According to Online Etymology, the word suicide comes from â€Å"the Latin root sui, which means oneself, and cidium meaning to kill† (Harper). The word as it is now was first used in Europe in 1651. Before this date, the only word similar to suicide was suicida from Europe during the 1200’s. Suicida was rarely ever used because the majority of those living in Europe at the time felt that it was too horrific to talk about. Those who spoke about suicide earlier than those times used a word that would loosely translate to self-murder. Even though many thought that suicide was a terrible action, there still was discussion about it. The debate about the morality of suicide began in ancient Greece with the philosopher Socrates. He asserted that people shouldn’t take their our own lives because to do soShow MoreRelatedEthical Considerations in Dealing with Changes in the Healthcare System929 Words   |  4 Pagescreates controversial discussion is the subject of physician-assisted suicide. Physician-assisted suicide is described as the act in which a physician provides the means necessary for the client to perform the act of suicide. The issue of physician-assisted suicide is viewed through many different perspectives. The topic of physician-assisted suicide has been debated since the development of medicine. Physician-assisted suicide was first legalized in the United States in Oregon in 1997. (LachmanRead MoreThe Picture of Dorian Grey, by Oscar Wilde771 Words   |  4 Pageshardships and trouble over â€Å"doing the right thing†. One quality cannot be held without losing the other, due to their conflicting natures. While the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray brings out the central question â€Å"Is it better to pursue Aesthetics or Morality?† it describes the life of Dorian Gray, who constantly sought to maintain his appearance at the cost of his morals, and answers the question by revealing the consequen ces of living Mr. Gray’s â€Å"beautiful† lifestyle. 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