I'm trying to find out when the first documented case of human suicide
was. I'm interested to see if humans committed suicide back in 1100,
for example, or if it's a more recent phenomenon. Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by omnivorous-ga on 04 Sep 2004 15:07 PDT

Binarybrian --

Would you count the execution of Socrates, ordered by a jury of
Athenians in 399 BC, as an execution or as a suicide -- since the
Greek philosopher was apparently left to commit the deed by his own
hand?

Reference:
"The Suicide of Socrates"
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/socrates.htm

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

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Clarification of Question by binarybrian-ga on 05 Sep 2004 07:03 PDT

Thanks for the response. I would consider the "execution of Socrates"
as an execution and not a suicide. My question is centered around why
we, as humans, commit suicide but no other animal does. And I started
to wonder if we always did or if it's a more recent event.  I hope
that clarifies it. Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 05 Sep 2004 08:30 PDT

Interesting question.

The Bible contains numerous suicides, including one that led to the
expression "to fall on one's sword".  There is a well-written history
on the topic of suicide as well, which gives considerable detail about
suicide in the Middle Ages, and other eras of human history.

Would the Biblical information suffice as an answer to your question? 
Of course, I would provide links to the book as well, if you're
interested in reading further on this topic.

Let me know.


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by binarybrian-ga on 05 Sep 2004 08:52 PDT

pafalafa--

Thanks for your response. I would be more interested in non-biblical
references, such as the well-written history of suicide in the Middle
Ages.

probonopublico--

Interesting idea about the animals now being even aware that they are
alive. Perhaps "centered around" wasn't the right phrase in my earlier
clarification. Essentially I was thinking that I don't know if animals
commit sucide, but I didn't think they did. When I found out that
pretty much they don't, I started to wonder why we do. And that, of
course, led to "Well, have we always" and ultimately this question:
"When is the first documented case of suicide?" So my question is when
is the same, but I'm also [on a side note] interested in why other
animals do not. Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 05 Sep 2004 09:03 PDT

Hello again,

From your comments, it looks as if you're not really after the very
"first" documented suicide, so much as a history on the topic.  If so,
I can steer you to the perfect resource.  The book I alluded to
earlier opens with the chapter:  "Suicide in the Middle Ages", then
moves on through the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and on into
modern times.

It is beyond the scope of this question for me to provide a summary of
the book, but I can certainly point you to links for the book that
will provide extensive information in their own right.

Let me know if that would be appropriate as an answer to your question.  

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by binarybrian-ga on 05 Sep 2004 10:24 PDT

pafalafa--

That would be perfect, thanks! [And acceptable as an answer to the
question, of course]

Brian

Hello Brian.

The book I had in mind is:


History of Suicide: Voluntary Death in Western Culture 
by Georges Minois 


The nice thing about this book is that you can actually view sizeable
sections of it online at Amazon.com.

Amazon recently added a "Search inside this book" feature which allows
registered users to peek at pages inside some of their books --
History of Suicide is one of the books that is viewable in this way.

If you're not already registered at Amazon, their system will walk you
through the steps for doing so.

To get started, just head to Amazon:


http://www.amazon.com/

and enter "History of Suicide" (quotes included) in their search box. 
 This should take you to a brief blurb for the book, with an icon that
says "Search Inside".  Click on this, and you can do a fair amount of
browsing in the book before the system will tell you (in effect),
"that's enough...if you want more, you're going to have to buy the
book).

You might want to begin your browsing with the back cover of the book,
which gives a brief overview of the toipc, and informs us that the
term "suicide" came into use in the 1700's, replacing the earlier
phrase "self-murder".

Have fun (if that's the right word to use while studying suicide...!)

pafalafa-ga


search strategy:  Searched at www.a9.com for "history of suicide"

Though this is not an answer, the information on this website reveals
that suicide was at least not unknown in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC:

The First Suicide Note, by Scott Martin
http://www.quahog.org/cscm/suicide/-21810000bc_1st_note.html

Scriptor

If you believe the Biblical account, Samson might suffice as the first
documented case?

What about the Japanese?

There is a long tradition as a way of making an honourable exit.

But would it be documented?

You may be interested to read this discussion of suicide and martyrdom
in Ancient Greece.
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/constantelos_altrouistic_2.html

answerfinder-ga

> no other animal does <

What about the lemmings?

Aha Binarybrian

Did I read your Clarification correctly that your Question was
'centered around why we, as humans, commit suicide but no other animal
does'?

Because if that be the case then the centre was missing on my screen.

And THAT makes for a very much easier question ...

Because we humans have a power of intelligence to which no other
animal can compare. They may not even realise that they are alive and
their sense of survival is primitive and uncomplicated by any thoughts
of there being another place.

Well, that's my guess.

All the Best

The non-binary Bryan.

"What about the lemmings?"

Lemmings do NOT commit suicide. This is a well established myth.

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=lemmings+suicide

Thanks rcarr! 

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA