Thursday, October 10, 2013
Utilitarian view on Suicide
John Stuart Mill's Utilitarian Philosophy is one that attempts to maximize the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. During class today we talked about how ethical suicide really is, and if you can call it a moral wrong for somebody to "peace out." We said that the Stoics think that suicide is an option that is legitimate if it's impossible for you to live your life the way that your supposed to live it. But how would Mill feel about suicide? Would he be opposed to it if you couldn't live a life that was bring you and those around you happiness? If all of your life you are continuously losing in the greatest happiness principle, why would it be wrong for you to take a quick exit? If that is the way for you to end the suffering and lack of happiness would that be morally acceptable? And what about the other philosophers that we talk about, what would their stance on suicide be? And to step it up another notch, what would be the stance on assisted suicide? If you could bring about the happiness of a quick end for somebody, wouldn't that be the best route to take and according to Mill the one that brings the greatest happiness principle into play? Yes, killing somebody is ethically wrong, but what about if they are asking for it and want to end their suffering? Would Mill be ok with that?
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I think that Mill would generally disagree with suicide, but since he does encourage the careful examination of every individual situation, I think there is a possibility that suicide would not be considered wrong. For example, if you are an old woman that has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, it would be difficult to glean a lot of happiness from spending your last few months - or even weeks - in the hospital. A peaceful death after a long life would follow the GHP, since your family will realize that it is time for you to move on. However, if you were a young girl in high school overcome with angst, I hardly think that suicide would be the logical step. You have your whole life in front of you, and although you may be depressed now, it is possible to maximize your happiness in the future. If you kill yourself, you not only eliminate any ability for future pleasure but you also bring about a lot of pain and suffering in your friends and family. In this case, getting a therapist and other forms of support would follow the GHP.
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