Citation
Baum, William M. (2018) What is suicide?. Animal Sentience 20(18)
Commentary Type
Invited Commentary
Thread
David M. Peña-Guzmán, Can nonhuman animals commit suicide?
Abstract
Whether a person committed suicide is often difficult to determine, and intent particularly so. If it’s difficult for humans, how much more so for nonhuman animals? A nonhuman observer would remark that humans usually avoid self-harm, but sometimes engage in self-injurious behavior. If instead of speculating about suicide we focus on self-injurious behavior that is sometimes lethal, we recognize continuity of species and can also understand and possibly remedy self-injurious behavior. To be kind and compassionate toward them, there is no need to impute doubtful capacities to animals. Kindness and compassion toward humans and other animals benefit the one who practices them.
DOI
10.51291/2377-7478.1308
