No matter which version of the story is actually true, they are all tragic.
One important takeaway is mentioned in the article:
> None of this excuses the treatment of Turing during his final years, says Prof Copeland.
The injustice was done. Whether it resulted in suicide is almost beside the point.
But the second takeaway is even more important, and this is where I think the article gets it very wrong: Turing's public demeanor prior to his death has absolutely no bearing on the issue. Many, if not most people who commit suicide "seemed totally fine."
Just because someone is projecting cheerfulness outward and trying their best to be brave, does not mean they are not suffering and it certainly doesn't mean that they're "ok."
'Just because someone is projecting cheerfulness outward and trying their best to be brave, does not mean they are not suffering and it certainly doesn't mean that they're "ok."'
Exactly. What a shallow analysis.
I also disdain the use the title of "Prof" in these situations, it makes
you believe him to be a psychatrist or medical specialist on suicides, but
"Brian Jack Copeland (born 1950) is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury" (Wikipedia).
He is no more special to have an opinion than you and me.
"Perhaps he had accidentally put his apple into a puddle of cyanide. "
All in all not very convincing, lots of speculation, mostly based on the fact that he seemed to be happy before. Not a professional, but often people have ups and downs or frantacilly try to be happy when they are not.
And of course the verdict is 'supportable', there is nothing in the article that makes the verdict 'not supportable'.
No matter which version of the story is actually true, they are all tragic.
One important takeaway is mentioned in the article:
> None of this excuses the treatment of Turing during his final years, says Prof Copeland.
The injustice was done. Whether it resulted in suicide is almost beside the point.
But the second takeaway is even more important, and this is where I think the article gets it very wrong: Turing's public demeanor prior to his death has absolutely no bearing on the issue. Many, if not most people who commit suicide "seemed totally fine."
Just because someone is projecting cheerfulness outward and trying their best to be brave, does not mean they are not suffering and it certainly doesn't mean that they're "ok."
Check in on your friends. Really care.
'Just because someone is projecting cheerfulness outward and trying their best to be brave, does not mean they are not suffering and it certainly doesn't mean that they're "ok."'
Exactly. What a shallow analysis.
I also disdain the use the title of "Prof" in these situations, it makes you believe him to be a psychatrist or medical specialist on suicides, but
"Brian Jack Copeland (born 1950) is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury" (Wikipedia).
He is no more special to have an opinion than you and me.
"Perhaps he had accidentally put his apple into a puddle of cyanide. "
All in all not very convincing, lots of speculation, mostly based on the fact that he seemed to be happy before. Not a professional, but often people have ups and downs or frantacilly try to be happy when they are not.
And of course the verdict is 'supportable', there is nothing in the article that makes the verdict 'not supportable'.
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