Suicides

by BAECHLER,

Examining a wide range of motives and varieties of suicide, the French social philosopher explains his conviction that suicide can be a valid, rational action and should neither be considered a sociological aberration nor condemned as madness

474 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Sin Tien Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important (and often overlooked) contribution to suicidology. Taking a side-step from the usually clinical leaning of suicide research, Baechler's method of inquiry here is more phenomenological. However, the premise for both is similar: suicide is rational, in so far that men could be understood as a rational being and thus his actions, no matter how bizarre could be rationally explained. The typology of suicide meanings is impressive enough but what really impresses me is how streamlined the structure of Baechler's arguments is. From introduction to his final conclusion, structure of his writing is straight as an arrow. An important and original piece of writing.