Is a moral self sacrifice for a greater good considered suicide?

1. 61

   DNSiclariposted 10 years ago

   Is a moral self sacrifice for a greater good considered suicide?
   
   I watched Seven Pounds the other day and this question came to my mind. I am not suicidal at all. I am just curious as to what people think about this. I believe that it is really a question without answer, but again I would like to see how the debate on this goes from various angles and perspectives.

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2. 70

   lburmasterposted 10 years ago

   I don't think so. You could use your life to focus on helping others. It's much better than committing suicide. When suicide happens, it negatively impacts others. So you are cursing them to live with a sad and horrible memory for the rest of their life. That's the complete opposite.

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3. 81

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   I saw the movie awhile back and the main character wanted to commit suicide because he felt responsible for the death of his wife and child. However before he killed himself he wanted to make sure his organs were donated to "good people".
   He was not going to kill himself for the "greater good". He was killing himself because he didn't want to live with the guilt anymore.

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   1. 61

      DNSiclariposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      True, but in donating the organs did he not contribute to a greater good (the man could see and the woman got a heart)

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   2. 81

      dashingscorpioposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Had he died by accident instead of suicide and was listed as a donor people would have still benefited. The difference is no one would call it "self sacrifice". Transplants take place everyday due to the death of someone who is not seen as a hero.

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4. 70

   stanwshuraposted 10 years ago

   I'm assuming you mean mortal sacrifice, as, although moral sacrifice may leave you with sleepless nights and sore knees, it is not usually deadly, mortal sacrifice is self-explanatory.  To your dirwct question, can sacrificing one's own life benefit the greater good.  I suppose being the guy who gets shot tackling a guy about to detonate a bomb is a hero and of tragic greater good.  Or s/he who pushes a kid out of the way of an oncoming car only to suffer the child's would-be "fate" is definitely a hero, although does this necessarily benefit the greater good?  It's a "net loss" but one can hope that society picks up a piece of that selfless altruism and live a little more of it each day, and then maybe the answer is an equally tragic "yes".
   
   As the intent, in these examples was a decisive ending of a life, but an attempt to save another, I would not call that suicide.

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   1. 61

      DNSiclariposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I did mean mortal. Somehow the T did not make it into the word when I posted the question. Probably error on my part.

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5. 36

   edhanposted 10 years ago

   It all depends on what sort of sacrifice for the final outcome. If your sacrifice didn't result in saving others than it will be pointless.

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6. 0

   KenDeanAgudoposted 10 years ago

   Moral sacrifice will never be a suicide cause suicide is not a moral act. For being a moral person respect life on it's own.

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7. 0

   JThomp42posted 10 years ago

   No, I do not think so at all. We have so many soldiers who do so daily, and so many who have done so in the past so we can enjoy the freedom they have afforded us. These are the true heroes. A very big sacrifice, you bet. Suicide, no. These people do not go into battle with a death wish, unfortunately they lose their lives daily. It is a very sad situation for their brothers who fight beside them and also for the families. God bless each and every one of them!

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8. 83

   lanablackmoorposted 10 years ago

   I agree that there is no singular answer. it depends largely on the intention, though I suppose that taking any act which you know will inevitably lead to your death is technically a form of suicide. I think of the Spartans in the movie 300. Certainly they weren't suicidal, but they were willing to sacrifice their lives for the pride and safety of their people. In terms of morality, I don't think self-sacrifice for the greater good carries the same connotations as suicide.

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9. 81

   PlanksandNailsposted 10 years ago

   Self-sacrifice is about self; when it is for the greater good, then it is not about self, but the greater good.
   
   The question is written as an oxymoron; therefore, you are right in that it is a question without an answer.
   
   A moral sacrifice is different than suicide because it is is often done out of despair that is attributed to mental disorder. A person who dies for the greater good is often referred to as a martyr, not suicidal.

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10. 53

    abt79posted 10 years ago

    There is a difference between suicide and sacrifice. If any Christian ever thinks sacrifice is somehow morally wrong, well, they obviously have never heard the name Jesus Christ and have no idea of the core of their religion.

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11. 61

    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    I am trying to understand your question , but here it goes, most women who have children know there are risk in having a child, but even knowing they go full term to bring another life in the world, is this suicide , no , all mothers want to continue life during the crazy talk of birth pains after its over the bond of mother and child is precious. I think there are other examples even if you are not a mother and you are
    a male.

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12. 50

    Lyn Lousteinposted 6 years ago

    still considered suicide, but i don't think its too much wrong.

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