Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that One is forbidden to act on the maxim of committing suicide to avoid future unhappiness.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The maxim 'end life to prevent greater suffering' can be universalized without logical contradiction, as Hume argues in 'Of Suicide'.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If suicide under extreme suffering is universalizable, it fails no contradiction-in-conception test and generates no perfect duty against it.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Kant's prohibition therefore rests on a flawed application of the categorical imperative, not on the formula itself.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Kant's argument treats self-love as necessarily life-preserving, but self-love can rationally motivate ending a life of certain misery.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If the same faculty (self-love) can coherently ground both preservation and cessation, no performative contradiction exists in the maxim.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If a maxim fails the contradiction in conception test (third step), one has a perfect duty to refrain from acting on it.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The maxim of committing suicide to avoid future unhappiness fails the contradiction in conception test.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.