Of Suicide

“No man ever threw away life while it was worth keeping.” —David Hume

The essay, Of Suicide, was originally planned for publication in a 1755 collection called Five Dissertations. However, philosopher David Hume decided to withdraw this and another essay (Of the Immortality of the Soul). Both these essays were published anonymously and posthumously in 1777. The current edition follows the 1755 version.

In this essay, Hume examines suicide by stating that the gods granted the powers to humans to live and therefore end their own lives. In addition, he argues that committing suicide does not harm society. As often, Hume sides with the individual’s autonomy to live one’s life.