Year: 1987 Source: Annual Meeting of the American Association of Suicidology, (20th: 1987: San Francisco), p.82-83 SIEC No: 19880757

This is a brief philosophical argument in support of rational suicide founded on the notion of the “right to autonomy”. In medical ethics, self-determination is based on free action, authenticity, effective deliberation, & reflection on moral values. The degree to which one satisfies these criteria determines one’s level of autonomy. In this analysis, a rational suicide is the act of an autonomous being & therefore, ought not to be prevented. (GW)