Episode of Star Trek just made me wonder...

[RevolvingMag]

Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, and I just watched Picard kill his future self.

But, that brings to mind the question; if you kill your future self, is it murder or suicide?

Any ideas from the peanut gallery?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JoJoGunn]

I'm voting a Murder/Suicide not either or, but one in the same.

[RevolvingMag]

Didn't think of it that way... Not like a murder-suicide, but both at once. Interesting.

[Guantes]

Past, present or future, it is still yourself that you are killing, so it is by definition suicide.

[mcp1810]

It is neither.
If the present me kills the future me on my one hundredth birthday I am not dead yet so it is neither. Until my hundredth birthday when I die, the act has not been committed as evidenced by the fact I am still alive.

[limatunes]

You do realize that the word "suicide" has origins in the Latin that are sui "of oneself" + caedere "kill" sometimes also interpreted as "murder" or "annihilate."

So.. suicide = self-murder. They are one in the same.

[RevolvingMag]

You do realize that the word "suicide" has origins in the Latin that are sui "of oneself" + caedere "kill" sometimes also interpreted as "murder" or "annihilate."

So.. suicide = self-murder. They are one in the same.

I know. I was just wondering how it would be perceived by others. It seems not quite right calling it suicide since 'you' are still alive. But, murder since it's 'yourself'?

[adric22]

Which episode was this? I've seen every episode of Star Trek TNG many times and this doesn't ring a bell. Picard killing his future self?

[RevolvingMag]

Which episode was this? I've seen every episode of Star Trek TNG many times and this doesn't ring a bell. Picard killing his future self?

Season 2 Episode 14 "The Icarus Factor" - Riker gets the choice of a promotion to Captain of the Aries, or stay 1st officer on Enterprise. Also has Riker's father, and Worf's 10 anniversary of his 'coming of age'. Can't remember at the moment exactly what they called it.

[borglyn]

Try asking someone from Gallifrey.

[RevolvingMag]

Try asking someone from Gallifrey.

I would, but I don't know anyone.

[Ducmonster]

It seems to me that since your future self does not exist yet it would be neither. Of course if your future self killed it's past self that would be suicide.
Well at least that is what I think.

wait a minute when did he kill him in the future or the present? That would make a difference.

[RevolvingMag]

It seems to me that since your future self does not exist yet it would be neither. Of course if your future self killed it's past self that would be suicide.
Well at least that is what I think.

wait a minute when did he kill him in the future or the present? That would make a difference.

He killed his future self (but only about six hours future) in the present.

[mkh]

I think you guys have too much time on your hands.

[RevolvingMag]

I think you guys have too much time on your hands.

I'm off today, and this is the first day I haven't had anything major to do other than a doctor's appointment at 8am. And I'm trying to entertain myself.