In my quest to attain sheer rationality and objectivity I had to overcome my own biases, prejudices and subjectivity. In doing so, I concluded that there is no rational basis for choosing life over death.
Why then, should one, when facing the meaninglessness of life, not commit suicide?
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Why not commit suicide....
I wondered if when my parents died, if I would't lose the last inhibition to killing myself. Now when I think about ending it, there's my partner. I wouldn't want to put any of them through that.
I don't know, though. There is a biological impulse to live, just like there's a biological impulse to eat, have sex, and breathe.. I think that's the real cause of continuing to live. It's not rational, but neither are a lot of things we do. Actually, dark chocolate, sex, and a good glass of wine ARE reasons to live.
So Andrew, I will just tell you don't do it because I said so. I know you dont know who I am and don't care, but don't do it anyway.
About 12 years ago I was suffering from cocaine addiction and depression. I often contemplated suicide.
I got professional help and was hospitalised for 2 months. I got better and life has been better ever since.
So things can get better and your mental health can improve.
Remember, you are going to die anyway so you may as well stick around to see what happens.
I'm doubtful that there is such a thing as being completely objective or that there is a rational answer to your question.
People often call suicide selfish, which I can understand, but it's also selfish to want a completely miserable person to stay alive just for other people.
I've been suicidal before. Strangely I am more afraid of nonexistence now that I've actually really thought about it.
Why would you want to overcome your own subjectivity?
If you think of life and the world in terms of mathematical logic, then there is absolutely no reason to select life over death, because there's no real room for evaluation at all. Values are subjective; if you ignore the subjective, you ignore values.
You also ignore art. If a worldview results in the loss of something like art, you've gone wrong somewhere.
Suicide is not always irrational (regardless of what the medical field has dogmatically asserted). However, in light of art, and love, and beauty, and things, I think there's more than enough of a foundation to live. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me.
I don't think anyone can answer this question for someone else. To ask the obvious, are you currently considering suicide? Do you want help? Do you know where you can get help? If you were bleeding, you would go to a hospital for treatment. Please if you are actively considering suicide, consider many people have experienced this and found medication, counseling and treatment very helpful.
If you are not considering suicide, this is a question only you can answer for yourself. I know I have many reasons to live which have nothing to do with contemplating the meaning of life. Because I want to is a good enough answer for me.
"Why then, should one, when facing the meaninglessness of life, not commit suicide?"
Life is the meaning of life.
Don't care enough about life and can't be bothered about the consequences of your actions?
Then kill yourself: no once can force you to do something you don't want to do.
Also, sheer rationality and objectivity is impossible by virtue of being human, so good luck with that one.
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