My Rubinshteinic Philosophy to Avoid Suicide (Philosocom's Subcategory on Suicide)
Updated: May 17
(Links: https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-philosophy-behind-suicide-and-why-i-m-no-longer-suicidal
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Suicide: A Philosophical Perspective
It should be known that some people are more inclined to suicidal behaviour than others, both genetic-wise and personality-wise. Philosophically, however, one of the reasons for that is that they don't believe they have a good enough reason to continue to stay alive. This lack of reasoning has to do with specific philosophies, namely nihilism, absurdism, and religious extremism. Therefore, shifts and/or developments in one's logical reasoning could directly or indirectly alter the fate of one's life!
The things or beings that make you feel you shouldn't die yet, or shouldn't die at all, could be called "Life Guards.". Ideas, and not only people, can make a difference between life and death. These are the very beings that prevent you from doing harmful things to yourself, like committing suicide or making an attempt at doing so.
By developing a hunger to the study of ideas, and creating a culture where such hunger is normally encouraged, we can help people make more informed decisions, potentially decreasing suicide rate through philosophy. The more we learn, the greater our understanding of reality can become, which in turn could change the tide in people's minds in favor of staying alive, and live despite the struggle.
It is also true that some people feel a greater need to justify their existence than others. Some people prefer living like klumniks if given the chance. Others are just too comfortable, light-headed, or distracted to even consider questioning the value of their own existence. Either way, when it comes to seeing life as needed to be resumed living, family, religion, and philosophy come into play, all encompassed not only by emotions, such as depression, but by reason.
Hence why you could literally reason someone outside of this traumatic tendency, and not only show them emotional support.
The Functionality of Such Contemplations
Those who feel more inclined to question and consider the worth of their existence, are likelier to be suicidal than those who don't see any inclination of that whatsoever. According to a study of 85 countries:
According to de Catanzaro’s (1981) evolutionary theory of human suicide, a threshold intelligence is necessary for suicidality. Intelligence and suicide mortality should thus be positively related.
It's only natural for one to be suicidal if they believe they don't have enough reason to continue living. On the other hand, those who are to be occupied with other things, and less on existential questions like the meaning of life, will see little reason to constantly reflect on the worth of their lives.
But what if this questioning is necessary for an even greater desire to live? What if it is part of the process of working towards our ideal selves? What if this questioning of our lives and the universe are imperative for the process, leading to our greater success? After all, if we want to better actualize our potential, some risks are to be taken. To quote CEO Vinod Khosla:
Part of working towards a better/different future lies in questioning the worth of the present reality. Therefore, using the universal businessman's rationale, despair can lead an opportunity of hope.
Resolving the Process
The negative reflection of existence goes like this:
If my existence is unnecessary or a waste of time for whatever reason (people don't like me enough, I don't make enough money, and so on), why, then, should I continue living?
What if my existence is either wasteful, harmful, or just unnecessary?
In order to overcome the possible negative outcomes of self-reflection, one must have these "life guards," external things worthy enough in their eyes to justify their existence. No medication, love, or therapy will help you overcome suicidal thoughts if you do not have strong "pillars" to keep your spirit afloat, alive, and kicking! Even if these assets can be beneficial, a will to resume living is necessary for the positive resolution of this issue.
The Function of Worth and A Critique of Financial Materialism
As subjective beings, it is impractical to measure happiness by GDP alone. You could have all the luxuries in the world, and still feel empty inside. Other parameters, such as emotional attachment, can either be more or equally important than the "objective" financial worth of something. Like with any other asset, that can apply to yourself as well, and not to some object or property. And thus, it is the same attachment that might make you desire this life and not think of forsaking it.
It is no wonder, then, that you can't entirely buy love with money. I am writing "can't entirely" because this is a mixed issue, and because of what I call the Drug Lord Fallacy. Either way, there are more parameters to a person's worth, than finances, regardless of subjective priorities involving worth, happiness and satisfaction.
Self-Reflection -- A Gamble (And Its Solution)
It is all well and good to reflect on the worth and contribution of your life. However, when it becomes too constant, you might risk questioning its value and, thus, its continuation.
This is the double-edged sword of self-reflection, as is reflection in general: It could lead to increased doubt which could undermine something -- or someone's -- preservation. It's all because reflection is about doubting the current state of affairs. According to the IrisConnect blog:
How do I self-reflect? Ask yourself questions that challenge your assumptions; how effectively am I performing? What are my strengths and areas for improvement? How can I improve these areas? What improvements have I made in this lesson and what do I need to do now? How will I know I have made improvements?
However, the question of whether or not to submit to this doubt is entirely up to you and on the strength of your willpower. Strength can assist you in expanding the sphere of your free will, and make you less suspectible to the bias of your own negative emotions.
Each philosophical reflection can be seen like an exam you give yourself. With each successful resolution in the name of life, you can hone your strength, and overcome the adversity of negative nihilism (which is different from positive nihilism). That is regardless the rationale of the Victory Fallacy, as you need strength either way as part of your survival. Mental survival, included.
Some points to keep in mind:
If you are naturally reflective and you wish to continue living, you must find ways to justify, philosophically, that you have a good enough reason to continue to remain alive.
That's despite the problems and hardships that may be in the way.
Personal Reflection On the Matter
I can physically kill myself anytime I want, but I refuse doing so. It is a waste of potential that could otherwise be invested on Philosocom activity. Each day can birth a new article or other form of media. And I utilize articles for the greater good. Why should I give up, then, when there is much left to do?
That's the philosophy that keeps me alive. It is one you can adopt to, as well: Treating yourself like an asset. Discarding an asset that could be useful is a wasteful decision. Since there is little point in discarding people, when preserving them is affordable, the same can apply to yourself (being a part of "people").
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