What is so “irrational” about those trying to convince people they care about not to kill themselves? The person who wants to die probably has compelling reasons to want to die. However, the person trying to talk them out of it is not reacting irrationally. Wanting the person in their life, not wanting to feel guilty for allowing their friend to knock himself off, not wanting the horrible grief, and generally thinking that their friend is a worthwhile person (otherwise you would not be their friend), are all compelling reasons for a person to talk a friend out of committing suicide. Let’s take for granted that it is simply an emotional outpouring, an irrational attachment to the life of that person, that is the impetus behind trying to convince someone not to take their life. Why should that discount it as a good reason to continue living? Perhaps the fact that someone really cares about him is not enough in the final analysis to make that person’s life worth living in his eyes, but the emotional attachment of friends and family are not invalid reasons for their desire to intervene.