Essay on Is there Anything to Justify Suicide - 850 Words

The definition of suicide is the act of killing oneself. Per data collected by the American Association of Suc 2010 Final Data Report , there is an average of one person every 13.7 minutes that commits suicide and that suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States at the time of the reports compilation. With studies proving suicide to be such a viable option for some, there arise the questions of morality concerning suicide. Is it ever an acceptable course of action? If so, under what circumstances might suicide be considered reasonable? Are there circumstances where the act of killing oneself is justifiable? Does one’s position in society or religious background determine the validity in one’s belief’s on†¦show more content†¦Col. Westhusing was said to have been extremely intelligent and highly intellectual even referred to as â€Å"straight an arrow as you would possibly find†. His family considered him to be very loving father and husband. Col. Westhusing was also reported as being a devout Catholic Having discovered wrong-doings in a department that he ( Col. Westhusing ) oversaw , he was so overcome with disappointment and shame at having been even associated with such corruption that in his suicide note he said â€Å" I came to serve honorably and feel dishonored â€Å" even stating that he felt â€Å"sullied†. Although Col. Westhusing’s friends, colleagues and family noted a decline in his moods, and that his mental health appeared to be unstable at times as well, apparently no one deemed him capable of ending his own life. How does a man who lived his life based on the practices of duty, honor and integrity along with a strong religious background come to the conclusion that the only way to uphold or maintain his dignity and honor is to commit suicide? This question is reflected upon by journalist Lindsay Beyerstein in a blog written on Col. Ted Westhusing’s suicide in 2005. Ms. Beyerstein conveys praise and admiration for Col. Westhus ings strong ethical beliefs as well as his willingness to die before accepting or livingShow MoreRelatedInferno: Pier Delle Vigne and Guido Da Montefeltro1372 Words   |  6 PagesVirgil and Dante encounter, all try to justify their sin and they indirectly ask for pity. Here is where Dante the poem leaves the decision up to the reader, whether or not the punishment fits the sinner and the sin and whether or not they deserve pity. Two characters that Virgil and Dante encounter are Pier delle Vigne and Guido da Montefeltro. Pier delle Vigne was a famous Chancellor of the Emperor Frederick II, he is in hell because he committed suicide after being accused of treason. Guido daRead MoreTerror Of The Mind Of God1717 Words   |  7 PagesColumbia. His friend actually killed a abortion doctor and Bray was defending him. His friend Rev. Paul Hill tried to justify his killing by quoting Psalm 91. 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In April 2004, military officials reported the teams conclusion: while the suicide rateRead MoreThe Individuals Right to Suicide Essay929 Words   |  4 PagesThe Individuals Right to Suicide In this article I hope to demonstrate the individual’s right to suicide. I will argue that a person’s freedom gives them the right to commit suicide, and by refuting religion and defeating the opposing views I hope to validate my conclusion. I also hope to address the reader with enough information as to not leave any room for â€Å"gray areas† in the final analysis. In the western world, suicide is taboo. While it would be easy to attribute this to Christianity