Suicide Prediction and Probability (IN: Suicidal Behaviour in Europe: Recent Research Findings, edited by P Crepet et al)

This article analyzes several theoretical issues related to assessment of suicide risk. These issues include basing assessment on statistical probability rather than individual case analysis & imposing the deterministic theory of medicine on suicidology. The authors state that there is little emphasis in the literature given to the philosophic & methodologic study of probability, in particular to recent subjective & axiomatic paradigms used in assessing risk for suicide. (81 refs) (SC)