YOUTH NEWS TODAY: The Case of Laquan McDonald

Throughout history, the concept of suicide has been met with a wide range of reactions, from being viewed as an act of heroism or cowardice to being met with sympathy or religious condemnation. However, no perspective has garnered more attention than that of morality. Morality refers to the accepted standards of conduct deemed "right." This raises the fundamental question: is the act of taking one’s own life moral or immoral?

Judeo-Christian beliefs generally categorize suicide as a sin, viewing it as morally wrong based on the sanctity of life. This doctrine holds that human life is sacred because it is created in the image of God and should be treated with reverence.

• St. Augustine of Hippo: Argued that the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" applies to self-destruction. He categorized suicide as an unrepentable sin.
• St. Thomas Aquinas: Opposed suicide on three specific grounds:
• It is contrary to natural self-love, the innate drive to preserve one’s own life.
• It injures the community, as an individual is a vital part of the social whole.
• It violates a duty to God, who gave life as a gift and maintains the sole right to determine its duration.

Philosophy offers a broader spectrum of thought. Those in favor of the right to choose suicide often argue from the standpoint of self-ownership—the idea that if we truly own our lives, we should have the freedom to decide when to end our suffering. The Stoics, for example, believed that suicide remained a valid option if life became overwhelmed by misery and despair.

In contrast, the opposing philosophical view highlights that misery is often a transitory period. From this perspective, suicide is criticized as a "permanent solution to a temporary problem."

Man is a social animal, existing within a network of roles: father, mother, child, or friend. Consequently, a decision made in isolation profoundly affects the family unit and the community. This interconnectedness suggests that suicide is often more "selfish" than it may initially seem, particularly when the individual plays a major role, such as a breadwinner or guardian. The shock and grief experienced by loved ones make the path to recovery long and grueling.

Many individuals contemplating suicide feel a sense of utter helplessness and hope that death will bring relief. However, this is often a "false hope." True liberation from despair is achieved through seeking help and allowing circumstances to change—as they often do abruptly—rather than by stepping from the tangible world into an unknown abyss.

The loss of life through self-destruction is a tragedy that preaches a version of freedom without responsibility. It is often viewed as an immoral deed because it contradicts the laws of nature and the sanctity of life. It is vital to remember that dejection and humiliation should not be seen as an escape route. There is always hope, and there is always a better way forward.