Choosing the Time to die (IN: Suicide: the Philosophical Issues, ed. by M P Battin & D J Mayo)

Although many writers defend a right to rational suicide, Slater adopts a much more extreme view & argues that this right should extend to those who are incurably mentally ill, since they may need it the most. He points out that mental illness often involves extreme suffering, & asks whether the impulsive psychopath, who has opted for death, may not really be doing “his best, both for himself and everyone else”. (0 refs.)