Is Suicide Intervention Justified?

Is suicide intervention justified?

With the abundance of suicide throughout the world, one has to wonder whether intervening in a suicide attempt is justified. There are two opposing principles on this topic, one being the principle of autonomy and the other being the principle of respect for life. There are also views that support each of these two principles such as paternalism and anti-paternalism.
In order to support the principle of autonomy, I must do three things. First, I will present the moral justifications for intervening in a suicide according to the principle of respect for life. Second, I will present the view of paternalism which supports the principle of respect for life, and also refute it with the view of anti-paternalism, supporting the principle of autonomy. Finally, I will present the moral justifications for not intervening in a suicide by presenting the principle of autonomy.


Moral justifications for intervening in a suicide: The principle...