Euthanasia and Suicide in Antiquity: Viewpoint of the Dramatists and Philosophers

This paper examines attitudes towards active euthanasia & suicide in ancient Greece by studying the works of various dramatists & philosophers. Active euthanasia was rejected by the majority of both because it was considered to be a violation of the autonomy of the individual & an action against the will of the gods. Passive euthanasia was more acceptable. With regard to suicide, both Aristotle & Plato refer to it not from an ethical standpoint but from the viewpoint of the law, supporting the theory that to die by suicide was to do oneself an injustice. (30 refs.)