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Jinn · 07-22-2009, 09:47 AM

If someone were drunk, and said they were going to kill themselves, would you act to stop them?
If someone were drunk, and said they were going to kill themselves, would you act to stop them?

etc., etc.,

When people are in a different 'state of mind' we recognize that they aren't in a position to make objective decisions about important matters, sign legal contracts or and in some cases unable to act in self-preservation at all.

I think suicidal thoughts are an altered state of mind, one which directly impacts our ability to make rational decisions like any other. As a result, I don't believe they can make objective decisions about life or death questions.

In the case where someone is committing suicide for a legitimate physical malady which makes life unbearable, I make an exception. But no amount of mental anguish is enough for a rational person to commit suicide or even consider it at length.

As someone who has had friends commit suicide, acted in a way vanblah described above, and even who have asked me to "accidentally kill them" so as to not be embarrassed by the stigma of suicide, and as someone who strongly believes in personal liberty and responsibility and loathes 'nanny state' government, I FULLY support a forced legal commitment to an institution for medical evaluation (up to 1 week) of anyone who indicates by action or words that they intend to commit suicide.

07-22-2009, 09:47 AM	#33 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	If someone were drunk, and said they were going to kill themselves, would you act to stop them? If someone were drunk, and said they were going to kill themselves, would you act to stop them? etc., etc., When people are in a different 'state of mind' we recognize that they aren't in a position to make objective decisions about important matters, sign legal contracts or and in some cases unable to act in self-preservation at all. I think suicidal thoughts are an altered state of mind, one which directly impacts our ability to make rational decisions like any other. As a result, I don't believe they can make objective decisions about life or death questions. In the case where someone is committing suicide for a legitimate physical malady which makes life unbearable, I make an exception. But no amount of mental anguish is enough for a rational person to commit suicide or even consider it at length. As someone who has had friends commit suicide, acted in a way vanblah described above, and even who have asked me to "accidentally kill them" so as to not be embarrassed by the stigma of suicide, and as someone who strongly believes in personal liberty and responsibility and loathes 'nanny state' government, I FULLY support a forced legal commitment to an institution for medical evaluation (up to 1 week) of anyone who indicates by action or words that they intend to commit suicide. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by Jinn; 07-22-2009 at 09:51 AM..