Life Quote by Kierkegaard, Soren
““Not even a suicide these days does away with himself in desperation but deliberates on this step so long and so sensibly that he is strangled by calculation, making it a moot point whether or not he can really be called a suicide, inasmuch as it was in fact the deliberating that took his life. A premeditated suicide he was not, but rather a suicide by means of premeditation.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: Either/Or, 1843
Suicide is often a calculated act, not a spontaneous impulse, blurring moral classification.
In simple terms: Suicide can be a deliberate, rational decision.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the complexity of desperation.
Themes
suicide
desperation
morality
psychology
Mood
somber
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- mental health crisis
- ethical debates
- legal discussions
- philosophical counseling
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is deliberation a sign of rationality or deeper despair?
- How should society respond to calculated self-harm?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize self-harm, risking harmful interpretation.
