Confucianism, Taoism, and suicide

In Confucianism, suicide is thought of as an acceptable way to protect one’s dignity and virtue: in late imperial China, suicide was required for intellectuals who had survived their emperor, and for women who had been raped. Nevertheless, most Confucian intellectuals do not consider suicide the best choice to pursue human virtue. Although Qu Yuan—the great poet and the person responsible for the most famous suicide in Chinese history—is often praised for his loyalty and virtues, he is also criticised for being narrow-minded. According to the Taoist teachings of Zhuangzi, one should not be too concerned about worldly affairs, including life and death. Examining ideas on life and death found in Confucianism and Taoism provides a deeper cultural understanding of possible underlying motives for committing suicide. This knowledge can contribute to more effective suicide prevention.