Autonomy, Suffering, and Suicide: Ethical Reflections in Modern Philosophy

Abstract

This paper examines the difficult ethical link between autonomy, suffering, and suicide in modern philosophy. I view suicide as a philosophical dilemma that poses crucial questions about human freedom, morality, and life. The study begins with autonomy, as defined by Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Jean-Paul Sartre as self-governance, individual liberty, and radical freedom. It then examines suffering as an ethical and existential issue, using Arthur Schopenhauer, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Albert Camus’ various views of pain, purpose, and resilience. The paper critically discusses suicide using deontological, utilitarian, and existentialist ethical theories. Utilitarian views emphasize consequences and suffering reduction, while deontological theories emphasize obligation and human value. However, existentialists view suicide as a search for meaning and the burden of freedom in an uncertain world. Each approach offers great insights but has limitations when applied to real-life circumstances, in my opinion. No single hypothesis can explain suicide, I contend. Instead, it demands a balanced, context-sensitive approach that respects individual autonomy and the ethical and societal factors that influence human decisions. This study emphasizes the need for a more sympathetic and intellectual approach to suicide in modern culture.