Ethics of Suicide: A Comparative Analysis

One constant between all cultures is the understanding that all lives will come to an end. Throughout one’s lifetime, virtue, character, and morality are sought, through different ideals and methods, with the overall endgame being the most ethical and desirable outcome possible. There are times, however, when an individual may feel like there is no hope of reaching a successful existence; therefore the act of suicide becomes a viable option. The decision to voluntarily take one’s life has always been a topic of discussion on ethical grounds. Whether or not the decision to die is an ethical one can be argued depending on from which ethical theory the act is being evaluated.
Non-acceptable
Looking at Kant’s categorical imperative, whether or not an action

Mills’ theory is separated into two different types, act and rule. Act utilitarianism focuses on individual acts and their consequences. Deciding whether or not the action is right or wrong is dependent on whether or not the outcome serves the most good for as many people as possible (Brannigan 148). Suicide, specifically in response to act utilitarianism, could only be considered ethical if it offered the best consequence for all involved – in that specific instance. Rule utilitarianism on the other hand states that an action should be taken when, consistent with a specific rule; it serves the most good for as many people as possible (Brannigan 148). For suicide to be ethical by this standard, it would have to be argued that the consequences of this action are a better option than other rules (for example, suicide being wrong). Because suicide generally causes more harm to extended family and society, it is sufficient to say it would fail to meet the standard of rule utilitarianism (Feldman