Deck 30: Whether One Is Allowed to Kill Oneself Excerpts

Question 1

Which of the following objections to the moral permissibility of suicide does Aquinas not address?

A) that a person cannot treat herself unjustly
B) that suicide is brave and noble when done to avoid suffering injustice or abuse at the hands of others
C) that suicide wrongs those who depend on us for care or support
D) that suicide sometimes allows us to suffer a lesser harm or evil instead of a greater one

Answer 1

that suicide wrongs those who depend on us for care or support

Question 2

Aquinas argues that suicide sins against God because

A) the Bible unequivocally condemns suicide.
B) God suffers when something he created is destroyed.
C) suicide is proscribed by the Church.
D) life is a gift given to us by God.

Answer 2

life is a gift given to us by God.

Question 3

Aquinas concludes that suicide is sinful and unjust to oneself because

A) it reflects a lack of self-control.
B) it is at odds with the charity we owe ourselves.
C) no one knows what happens to us after death.
D) suicide would necessarily be painful or upsetting.

Answer 3

it is at odds with the charity we owe ourselves.

Question 4

In what respect does Aquinas think suicide is "contrary" to our nature? Is his argument for this conclusion convincing? Why or why not?
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Question 5

What is Aquinas' response to the argument that suicide is morally permissible when done to avoid a greater harm or evil? Is his response convincing, in your opinion? Why or why not?