Suicide in a Changing Society
Suicide in a Changing Society

Author(s): Branislava Knežić
Subject(s): Labor relations, Economic policy, Politics and society, Social differentiation
Published by: Institut za uporedno pravo
Keywords: social changes; hopelessness; suicide
Summary/Abstract: Suicide does not choose neither civilization nor nation, neither class nor religion, and that problem has always been occupying the attention of science (anthropology, philosophy, law, psychiatry, psychology, sociology…), religion and arts. But still there is not enough knowledge about that phenomenon and probably we will never definitely find out why a man voluntarily renounces his life and resorts to the most (un)natural salvation. We can ask ourselves with Albert Camus: does deliberating on one’s own existence is at the same time its “undermining”? Considering the ”essential philosophical question” regardless of challenges surpasses the intention for writing this text, naturally limited by its heading and/or subject-matter. Consequently, its purpose is to offer a brief review of apparently trivial changes which were paid by the lives of those – as social psychologist would call them – not oriented toward the future. In fact, at issue here are the ones who, although entirely conscious and of common sense, renounced the life and to whom the changes have brought about disaster instead of salvation. It seems that they were unable or unwilling to adapt to social, political, economic, cultural and ethical changes that have taken place in our country during the past twenty or so years. We experienced, unfortunately, in comparison with others, much more serious changes, including considerable State and social “earthquakes”. And the voice of hope which usually comes down to promises is sometimes quick to betray, particularly when the life falls on the margin of survival and/or the border of the humanly possible.

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