Suicide And Evolution

ISBN-13: 9783639134445 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 68 str.

Michael Miller

Opis

This book is a three part analysis of suicide from aphilosophical perspective. First, this analysis is anattempt to explain the phenomenon of suicide from anevolutionary perspective.It is a thoroughlyNaturalistic analysis, one that pays homage toDarwins brilliant insight concerning the origins oflife.Second, many philosophers have written about thedefinition and moral status of suicide. This analysissets forth the ideas of several highly influentialphilosophers such as Plato, Immanuel Kant, and DavidHume. Third, I attempt to justify my definition ofsuicide as well as its extension in the naturalworld. If suicide is the intentional act of killingoneself and if the distinction between intentionallyX-ing and intending to X is correct, then ourcommonplace, intuitive understanding of the class ofactions which count as instances of suicide ismistaken. Those agents who heroically sacrificethemselves for the sake of others are included in thedefinition, despite the altruistic intentions of theagent. The rhetoric surrounding suicide is revealedby analyzing the evolutionary factors whichcontribute to self damaging behavior.

O autorze

Michael B. Miller was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. In
2004, he graduated from Jacksonville University with a BS in
Philosophy. Ben received his MA from Florida State University in
2008. He intends to finish his PhD in 2010.