Johan Robeck
Johan Robeck[a](1672–1739) was a Swedish-Germantheologianandphilosopherwho justified and committedsuicide.
Life
[edit]Robeck was born inKalmar,Sweden,and raised in the reformed religion. He studied inUppsala,before going toHildesheimin Germany, where he converted to Catholicism in 1704. He joined the Jesuits and lived inRinteln,Westphalia.
He wrote a book permitting suicide from a theological point of view, entitledExercitatio philosophica de morte voluntaria(A philosophical exercise about voluntary death, 1736). His book started a debate among Europeans of his time, which includedRousseau[1]andVoltaire,especially after he himself committed suicide by drowning in the riverWesernearBremen,Germany. Robeck's argument is based upon the idea of life as a gift, given by God, who therefore gave up for his rights in the gift. Anyone can destroy a gift, according to Robeck's argument; therefore, suicide is legitimate.[2]
In Voltaire's Candide
[edit]Robeck's suicide is referenced in the old woman's story at the end of chapter XII in Voltaire's 1759 novelCandide,"...but I have met only twelve who have voluntarily put an end to their misery—three negroes, four Englishmen, four Swiss, and a German professor called Robeck." ThePenguin Classicsedition ofCandidefeatures an introduction by Michael Wood, who explains that "Robeck was a historical person who argued that loving life was ridiculous and sought to prove his point by drowning himself in 1739".[3]
Notes and References
[edit]- ^Robeck's name is variously spelled as "Johann Robeck", "Johannis Robeck", "Johannes Robeck", "Iohannis Robeck", and "Iohannes Robeck".
- ^J.J. Rousseau,Nouvelle Eloise,III, 21.
- ^Otto Schmid, "Robeck, Johann."Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB),vol. 28, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1889, p. 717.
- ^„J’ai vu dans les pays que le sort m’a fait parcourir, et dans les cabarets où j’ai servi, un nombre prodigieux de personnes qui avaient leur existence en exécration; mais je n’en ai vu que douze qui aient mis volontairement fin à leur mi sắc re, trois nègres, quatre Anglais, quatre Genevois, et un professeur allemand nommé Robeck. “Oeuvres Complètes De Voltaire: Avec Des Notes Et Une Notice Historique Sur La Vie De Voltaire.Vol. 8, Paris: Furne, 1846, 587.
Sources
[edit]- Timothy J. Demy, Gary Stewart (1998).Suicide: a Christian response: crucial considerations for choosing life.Kregel Publications.ISBN0-8254-2355-4.
- RÓISÍN HEALY (2006). "Suicide in Early Modern and Modern Europe".The Historical Journal.49(3). Cambridge University Press; National University of Ireland, Galway: 903–919.doi:10.1017/S0018246X06005577.hdl:10379/4115.S2CID27734440.
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