MANY PEOPLE FEEL that suicide can never be justified, that it is never an acceptable way to solve a problem. To people who hold this view, no one ever has the right to take a life—even his or her own. Suicide, for them, is simply wrong. On the other hand, many people argue that choosing the time and manner of one's death is like choosing the way one lives—a basic human right that should always be respected. In between these views are many shades of opinion and feeling.

If there is any agreement in the debate, it is probably on the question of when suicide is not acceptable. Most experts and others would argue that suicide is a poor solution for temporary problems and even for many longrunning difficulties. In these cases...