The position is taken that the act of suicide is morally neutral. After distinguishing suicide from self -destruction for manipulative or other purposes, it is argued that suicide may be an appropriate somatic response to pain, or interpreted as an aesthetic response to a distasteful life situation. A stronger thesis is also suggested; namely, that suicide may in some cases be the assertion of one’s autonomy & hence morally praiseworthy. This point is illustrated by showing the aesthetic & moral dimensions of Socrates’ choice not to escape execution.