Appraisal of Suicide in Kant and The Nigerian Experience. Ogbunkwu Anacletus I. PhD.1 1Department of Philosophy, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu Abstract The aim of this paper is an appraisal of suicide in Kant as a right principle towards dissuading suicide in Nigeria. Using the method of exposition and hermeneutics, the paper examines the degree to which suicide in Kant is appropriate towards dissuading suicide in Nigeria. Towards the success of the stated aim, the paper studies the concept of suicide, Kant's extremism and zero tolerance to suicide, increasing cases of suicide in Nigeria and the government role towards mitigating this devastation in Nigeria society. The finding reveals that suicide is on the increase in Nigeria and there seems to be no effort towards arresting this ugly situation. In the same vein, the finding identifies the causes of suicide as following: financial challenges, marital problems, mental disorders, drug misuse, alcoholism, academic challenges, depression, rejection, e.t.c. The implication of this study is that in spite of the challenges leading to suicide, the act is abominable and ought to be shunned not minding the degree of motivation or provocation. Hence for Kant, we do not have powers of willful disposal over our life rather a duty of self preservation. More so Kant condemned suicide for the reason that the act uses man as a means of escaping intolerable situations whereas the human person ought not to be a means but an end itself. Therefore, the paper makes a clarion call on the government to initiate programmes to enlighten and dissuade people from suicide. Keywords: Suicide, Kant, Nigeria, self preservation, freewill and moral duty. Top Keywords Appraisal, Suicide, Kant, Nigerian Experience. Top |