Question 1

Those who oppose suicide on the grounds that life is sacred:&#10;A) Can do so only within a religious framework.&#10;B) Must claim that more life is always better, irrespective of its quality&#10;C) Both (a) and (b)&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The opposition to suicide on the grounds that life is sacred does not necessarily require a religious framework nor does it necessitate the belief that more life is always better, irrespective of its quality. People can value life as sacred for philosophical, ethical, or personal reasons that are not inherently religious. Additionally, valuing life as sacred does not automatically imply a belief that quantity of life outweighs quality.

Question 2

According to David Benatar, suicide is prudentially irrational when:&#10;A) Continued life is in one's overall interests.&#10;B) The person taking his or her own life is depressed.&#10;C) The person taking his or her own life is acting selfishly.&#10;D) Suicide is unnatural.

Accepted Answer

David Benatar argues that suicide can only be considered prudentially rational if continued life is not in one's overall interests. This means that if life still has some value or potential for improvement, suicide would not be considered rational. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B is incorrect because depression may cloud judgment, but that does not necessarily make suicide irrational. Option C is incorrect because there may be situations where suicide is actually a selfless act (such as sacrificing one's life to save others). Option D is also incorrect because whether suicide is natural or not is irrelevant to its rationality.

Question 3

David Benatar argues that suicide is cowardly when&#10;A) It is an easy option.&#10;B) It is the easier option.&#10;C) It is the easiest option.&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

David Benatar does not consider suicide cowardly or brave. He argues that the decision to take one's own life is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple evaluation of bravery or cowardice. Therefore, none of the options provided are correct.

Question 4

A negative right to life is:&#10;A) Compatible with suicide if rights protect interests.&#10;B) Compatible with suicide if rights protect choices.&#10;C) Both (a) and (b)&#10;D) Always incompatible with suicide.

Accepted Answer

A negative right to life can be understood as the right not to be killed by others, which can be compatible with the concept of suicide under both interpretations of rights protecting interests and choices. This is because a negative right to life primarily focuses on the absence of external interference (e.g., by others) in one's life and death decisions.

Question 5

David Benatar argues that in deciding whether suicide is morally permissible:&#10;A) The interests of other people are irrelevant.&#10;B) The interests of other people are relevant but not decisive.&#10;C) The interests of other people are relevant and decisive.&#10;D) One's own interests are decisive.

Accepted Answer

David Benatar argues that while the interests of other people are relevant in deciding whether suicide is morally permissible, they are not decisive. This means that while the impact on others should be considered, it is not the sole factor in making such a decision.

Question 6

Is suicide always either irrational or morally wrong? In answering this question, outline and evaluate the various arguments for an affirmative answer, arguing whether or not any of them succeed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is suicide always either irrational or morally...

Question 7

Is death always the worst thing that can happen to somebody, or can continued life sometimes be worse? Why does the answer to this question not settle the question whether suicide is sometimes morally permissible? What further factors need to be considered? What should we conclude about when, if ever, suicide is morally permissible? Justify your answers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is death always the worst thing that...

Deck 32: Suicide Is Sometimes Rational and Morally Defensible