Have you ever questioned your own life in a philosophical way? Or more seriously, have you ever challenged the existence of your own life? Whoever you are with any social background, you may have already tried to understand the fundamental essence of human life or life in general, at least once in your life. Some of us go beyond the norm and make a lifetime career out of the essence of life by becoming philosophers, scientists, or religious scholars in an attempt to unravel this mysterious phenomenon called life.

I don’t want to go into details about the definition of human life from a biological point of view. I would prefer to accept it as it is for all of us, and go from there. So, let’s assume if not acknowledge the fact that we are a fully conscious and intelligent species who can think and act freely without any religious bias towards the existence of human life if we want to. The next step would be to question and challenge it as some of us do.

You may say that you have already challenged your life by taking risks in cliffhanging, motor bike racing, wilderness exploration, fire fighting, taking up arms in times of wars, and other potentially dangerous human activities. There is no doubt that these activities are sometimes life-threatening and can jeopardize your life in different ways. However, this is not what I mean by asking whether or not you have questioned your life. What I really mean exactly is – have you ever thought of committing suicide?

Suicide is considered immoral in many cultures and also a sin in most religions. Nevertheless, some of these cultures and religions do accept the act of suicide in some exceptional circumstances. For instance, there are those who kill themselves to serve an emperor, the Reich, or God (if He or She exists) in any possible way against the enemies of the state or a specific religion. What about those naïve young soldiers who killed themselves during World War II under the command of Hitler and the Japanese Emperor? How about the suicide bombers of our modern world today?

Nevertheless, this is not what I mean when I say if you have questioned your precious life by committing suicide in order to serve your country, king, religion, or God. I am simply asking you whether you have thought of suicide because you are tired and fed up with your life due to some problems or you are hysterically curious to know what life and death mean in a real sense. To question life in this manner means you see life in black and white. It means that you follow the rule of all or none. It implies that you want the best out of life and if you don’t get it, then you are better off without it.

To me, the best thing out of life is to understand what life is. When you have a clear thought and understanding of a phenomenon, then you know where exactly you stand in that regard. Nonetheless, to understand what life is, you have to experience it. Also, to experience life, you must live life. Therefore, the only answer to a suicidal mind from any sort would be to live longer, not to get rid of life. Why? Because this life is the only life and the only chance we have in order to experience our universe.

Having said this, think about those suicide bombers who have no respect for their own lives let alone others’! Think how these suicide bombers waste their own lives and the lives of those innocent Homo sapiens who have a great hunger for life!

Vive la vie!