Abstract
This paper deals with the theme of suicide in the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer. After a short introduction into the philosopher's metaphysical system, the attention is first focused on the legal aspect of suicide, specifically the reasons why, according to Schopenhauer, suicide cannot be considered a crime and why every person has an absolute right to it.
The second part of this work aims to explain the paradoxical nature of suicide in Schopenhauer's philosophical system. The paradox lies in the fact that suicide is not, in fact, a denial of the will to live, but rather its strong affirmation.
Under Schopenhauer's deterministic worldview, suicide is thus just another act of the Will and not an act of freedom. True salvation from the sufferings of life lies not in suicide, but rather in denying the will to live through asceticism.