Suicide and Paternalism Should Suicide be Paternalistically Intervened?

Authors: Hazarika L*

DOI: 10.23880/phij-16000242

Volume 5, Issue 2

Abstract

Without any doubt suicidal deaths or despair deaths are one of the most famous deaths in this world. And this has been existing throughout the tough times in the current COVID-19 situation world-wide. The prime concern of this paper would be to basically dwell upon suicides committed by the competent persons. There are many reasons behind suicides and suicidal attempts, this paper attempts to understand the reasons and discuss the moral conditions under which suicidal interventions could be justifiable, if any. It is mainly devoted to understanding whether paternalistic intervention is justified in case of suicide? Paternalistic suicidal interventions may include, compulsory hospitalization of the target, compelling the target to change his value of life, forcible treatment etc. Since, paternalistic interventions are not widely accepted and people do not like paternalistic care so, it becomes interesting to look at the moral disparities between suicide and paternalism. This paper shall be divided into three sections. The first section introduces both the concepts of paternalism and suicide. The second section shall include discussions regarding the conceptual exposure of the term “suicide” and further explores the reasons behind opting for suicide. In the third section, this paper shall discuss about the paternalistic intervention in suicidal cases. It will involve discussions about, whether paternalistic intervention in another person’s life about ending their life against their will is at all justifiable?

Keywords: Competent persons; Morality; Paternalism; Rationality; Suicide

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