Joseph Campbell was an American author, professor, and expert in the study of mythology and religion. While he never wrote extensively on the topic of suicide, he did touch on the subject in his writings and interviews.
Campbell believed that suicide was ultimately an act of spiritual bankruptcy. He believed that humans have an innate desire for meaning and purpose in their lives, and that suicide occurs when an individual feels that their life lacks meaning and that their existence is futile.
Campbell argued that humans must strive to find meaning in their lives, and that this meaning could come from a variety of sources, such as art, music, literature, religion, or personal relationships. He believed that when individuals find a sense of purpose and meaning, they are less likely to experience feelings of despair and hopelessness that can lead to suicidal ideation.
Additionally, Campbell saw suicide as a rejection of the hero’s journey, a concept he frequently discussed in his works. The hero’s journey is a narrative archetype found in myths and stories from around the world, where a hero embarks on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Campbell believed that the hero’s journey was a metaphor for the human experience, and that each individual had the potential to embark on their own hero’s journey. However, he acknowledged that the journey was difficult and often involved facing one’s own demons and overcoming obstacles.
Suicide, in Campbell’s view, represented a failure to confront and overcome these challenges. It was a rejection of the hero’s journey and a failure to find meaning and purpose in one’s life.
To Campbell, the solution to preventing suicide was to help individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives. He believed that this could be accomplished through a variety of means, such as exploring personal interests, pursuing creative endeavors, engaging in meaningful relationships, or finding a spiritual practice.
In summary, Campbell viewed suicide as a rejection of the human search for meaning and purpose. He believed that individuals must find their own sense of meaning and purpose in life in order to avoid feelings of despair and hopelessness that can lead to suicidal ideation. Campbell’s approach to preventing suicide focused on helping individuals find a sense of meaning and purpose through personal exploration, creativity, and spirituality.