Biathanatos

Biathanatos is a philosophical treatise written by John Donne in 1648, in which he argues that suicide is not inherently sinful and should not be considered a moral taboo. The book is divided into three parts, with the first section exploring the history of suicide and its treatment in various cultures and religions. Donne examines the arguments against suicide put forth by Christian theologians and philosophers, including Augustine and Aquinas, and critiques their reasoning.In the second section, Donne presents his own argument in favor of suicide, drawing on classical and biblical sources to support his thesis. He argues that suicide can be a rational and courageous act, and that the fear of punishment in the afterlife should not deter people from taking their own lives. Donne also suggests that suicide can be a form of self-preservation, particularly in cases of terminal illness or unbearable suffering.The final section of the book addresses potential objections to Donne's argument, including the idea that suicide is a violation of God's sovereignty and the argument that it is a selfish act that harms others. Donne responds to these objections by emphasizing the importance of individual autonomy and the right to make one's own choices about life and death.Overall, Biathanatos is a thought-provoking and controversial work that challenges traditional Christian views on suicide and offers a nuanced exploration of the ethics of self-harm. Despite its controversial subject matter, the book is written in a clear and engaging style, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.