Legal Suicide?

I don't believe that suicide is an option. Of all the choices available, it's a very poor choice. But no matter how poor the choice is, it is still a choice. Where than, does the government have the right to declare suicide illegal?

There are two kinds of laws, moral laws and societal or governmental laws. Moral laws are those ascribed from a moral source, ie: the Bible. Societal laws tend to be based on fundamental moral laws. There are a few instances where laws are established, not because it is moral, but for the safety of the society at hand. Ex: speed limits.

Driving a certain speed is not morally wrong. But the state determines that a certain speed is "safe" not only for the driver, but for others on the road.

So when you look at suicide, is there a moral law with it? Is it morally wrong to take your own life? Even if you believe that taking your own life is wrong, it will not stop those that are determined to take their own life. So is suicide harmful to others?

Maybe indirectly, it affects friends and family. But does the state have the right to determine if it is legal or not? What is the state going to do? Lock them up so they can't take their own life?

This basically comes down to, is it your right to control your own life?

Part of me wants to say yes. It is your right to take your own life. This is disseperate from euthanasia, where you are seeking assistance to take your own life. I believe it is morally wrong to help someone commit suicide.

I don't know. I know that this doesn't affect me, but it's been something I've been thinking about since Million Dollar Baby.