Innocence and suicide

Abstract : In this paper I examine one line of argument against the claim that (some) suicide may be morally legitimate. This argument appeals to a putative moral principle that it is never licit to assault an innocent human life. I consider some related arguments in St. Augustine and St. Thomas, an...

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Bibliographic Details
Author:George I. Mavrodes
Published: S.n., s.l., 1999
Volume:16
Pages:315-335
Notes:Abstract, 315.
Periodical:Faith and Philosophy
Number:3
Format:Article
Topic:- Doctrine > From man to God > Evil. Sin > [Vices divers] > [suicide]
Status:Needs Review
Description
Summary:Abstract : In this paper I examine one line of argument against the claim that (some) suicide may be morally legitimate. This argument appeals to a putative moral principle that it is never licit to assault an innocent human life. I consider some related arguments in St. Augustine and St. Thomas, and I explore two possible senses of “innocent.” I argue that in one sense the putative moral principle is very implausible, and in neither sense is it true that all suicides assault an innocent life. So this line of argument fails to establish the desired universal prohibition of suicide.