Publication

1999 - Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland

Language

English

Word Count

96,750 words, Guess

Page Count

387 pages

Identifiers

and 3 more
  • Library of Congress Control Number98004069
  • Goodreads3039283
  • LibraryThing246766

Classifications

  • DDC179.7
  • LCCRC569 .M55 1999

Description

In his illuminating history, Georges Minois examines how a culture's attitudes about suicide reflect its larger beliefs and values - perspectives on life and death, duty and honor, pain and pleasure. Minois addresses a wide range of questions drawn from theology, law, literature, science, and medicine. Under what circumstances has suicide been honored or condemned? On what grounds, if any, can it be justified? Under what conditions do suicides increase or decrease? Does legislation make any difference? Does religion? How does the historical record disclose or obscure suicides? Minois concludes with comments on the most recent turn in this long and complex history - the emotional debate over euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the right to die.

First Sentence

1249 Pietro Della Vigna, a jurist, poet, and minister to Frederick II, committed suicide.

Subjects

Series Statement

  • Medicine & Culture

Other Editions

  • History of suicideJohns Hopkins University Press1999

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