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Suicide is the most basic right of all. If freedom is self-ownership, ownership over one's own life and body, then the right to end that life is the most basic of all. If others can force you to live, you do not own yourself and belong to them.
Thomas Szasz
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Before you jump to conclusions and go on to suggest me to consult a psychiatrist, let me assure you, I'm not thinking of suicide. I mean, I'm thinking on suicide, not thinking of it. I'm in a perfectly healthy state of mind - I think so! Or atleast, I hope so ...
Since ages, suicide has been considered as an unethical, immoral and irresponsible act. It is condemned by most religions and philosophies - the basis of it being connected to the "sanctity" of life, how significant life is; which brings me to the question -
Why LIFE? What is its purpose?
The worst part of this question, I think, is in its answer which is, 'There is no purpose' or 'The purpose is unknown'.
All philosophies and religions take an existialist stance and accept the fact - "Life is there". With that presumption, they attempt to explain other aspects of life. Hinduism, Buddhism (and related schools of thought) consider life as pessimistic (they embraces life though). Their prime focus is on how to escape the continuous process of life and death (Samsara) and to achieve moksha (through Karma Yoga, Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga or Raja yoga). But, they fail to justify the purpose of life in the first place - the purpose of a soul. Jainism also talks about how to free the soul from karman to escape misery, but, again, failing to address THE question. And as far as I can think, in Christianity and Islam, there's nothing but an attempt of political conquest and control over people by the "religious" community.
My question is - Who the FUCK has the right to condemn suicide when he can't justify the purpose of life?
There is not one school of thought (that I know of) which gives a justification to the very purpose of life. Probably, this is the reason why the mind creates goals and dreams as a consolation, a temporary solace.
Come to think of it, it is OK to commit suicide as long as it is productive to the society. In fact, in such cases, the purpose of life becomes suicide. There is no other possible explanation for cases of Sati (in India), Seppuku and Jigai (in Japan), ritual suicides (in India, China, and some central asian "barbaric" cultures). That's the extremity of hypocricy and materialistic nature of the society. Such a society cannot claim the right to judge the "immorality" or "irresponsibility"; atleast in this matter.
I'm not pro-suicide. I repeat - I'm not pro-suicide. I don't condemn it either. I guess my english teacher was right - An idle man's brain is devil's workshop.
