Review Of "Why Suicide Is Amoral: A Philosophical Account" By R. Gaier

Gaier (Gannon Univ.) argues that suicide is amoral because agents are unable to exercise “deliberative agency” (as they lack reasons for what they do and cannot act on them) or “moral agency” (as their relational knowledge is compromised; i.e., lacking a sense of belonging). To say that suicide is amoral is to say that moral categories, including moral permissibility, do not apply. Thus, suicide is an act, but no more an action than a toddler throwing a tantrum comes within the moral domain. But how should suicide be defined? Gaier is inclined towards a more expansive account that permits her to include physician assisted suicide (PAS) and the soldier who throws his body on a grenade to save his comrades. Interestingly, Gaier doesn’t discuss the most famous case in philosophy: that of Socrates. Arguably, Socrates didn’t lack deliberative or moral agency either. This thoughtfully argued book provides deep insight into the most typical cases—namely, those suffering profound moral depression—but less well in other cases. For example, her thesis mandates, and she accepts, that neither the soldier nor someone who chooses PAS deserve any moral praise or admiration. The book is well researched and worth taking seriously, but this reviewer believes that Gaier overgeneralizes. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals.