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Single Idea 4678

[from 'Notebooks 1914-1916' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 4. Suicide ]

Full Idea

If suicide is allowed, then everything is allowed. If anything is not allowed, then suicide is not allowed. This throws a light on the nature of ethics, for suicide is, so to speak, the elementary sin.

Gist of Idea

Absolute prohibitions are the essence of ethics, and suicide is the most obvious example

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Notebooks 1914-1916 [1915], end), quoted by Jonathan Glover - Causing Death and Saving Lives §13

Book Reference

Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.171


A Reaction

This reveals the religious streak in Wittgenstein. I am reluctant to judge suicide, but this seems wrong. Should a 'jumper' worry if they land on someone else and kill them? Of course they should.