History of Suicide: Voluntary Death in Western Culture ... (ISBN 0801866472)

History of Suicide: Voluntary Death in Western Culture:
This book is a reference for those interested in studying Suicide and suicidal behavior. When studying a subject like this, everyone should start with the basics, i.e. historical reviews and perspectives of the phenomena. After reading this very well written book the reader will surely become more familiar with some of the basic thoughts pertaining suicide and its cultural, historical, and some light scientific perspectives of the suicidal phenomena. Everyone should read it, even for cultural enrichment. Webmaster.suicide@clix.pt

Invaluable Study Of Suicide - So Long As one Can Face It:
I read this book in one sitting. A scholarly work but no matter. The book will stand as one of the most important works ever published on the subject. Nothing is left out. And I could only guess but most will never be the same again...just to realize the vast scope of despair that has affected the human condition for centuries along with the differing cultural and religious viewpoints on the subject. Not a book for the faint at heart. But a book that provides the other side of what many believe (still) is an assumption that to live - is all there is. The meaning of life itself is the issue and this book tackles the subject as no one else had done for decades.

Origen of the taboo in western society on voluntary death.:
To form your own opinion on a subject, particularly if it is controvesal, it it wise to study the origin of the standpoint in question. . Arguments against voluntary death like : "Life is a gift of God, you should respect and leave it to him to end it" look good at first sight. But then you remember that the church used the same argument against birth control. In this matter almost everybody in the western world has accepted that the size of your familiy is your own responsability. The book 'History of suicide " shows that the taboo against voluntary death is heavily influenced by the wish of the Roman empire and the early christian church to try and stop the decline in population. The economy in that period was very dependent on slaves and serves. A quotation: "The Council of Arles in 452 condemned the suicide of all famuli ( slaves and domestic servants). the servant who kills himself robs his master and his owner. His suicide is an act of revolt". The book of Mr Minois gives plenty arguments for the statement that a responsable and free human being may find it justified to end his life. The God of the christans wants us to be" ïn his image ", responsable people. Responsable for the beginning and the end of life.