Citation

Lewitzka DU, Bauer R. Nervenarzt, Der 2016; 87(5): 467-473.

Vernacular Title

Suizidalität und Sterbehilfe : Diskurs über den ärztlich assistierten Suizid.

Affiliation

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00115-016-0089-x

PMID

27119531

Abstract

Suicidal thoughts and behavior have been a part of human nature since the beginning of mankind. In his autobiographical work From my Life: Poetry and Truth Goethe summarized two important aspects: "Suicide is an event of human nature which, whatever may be said and done with respect to it, demands the sympathy of every man, and in every epoch must be discussed anew". The authors of this article aim to motivate the readership to question and analyze this complex topic and the accompanying multifaceted positions with a summarized presentation of historical aspects and the more recent political developments.

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