Topics Death

Question If a person is not afraid of non-existance then if he is afaid of death he is actually afraid of the possible pain involved ; does this seem reasonable?

Accepted:
May 31, 2012

Comments

You are reasoning along the lines of Epicurean philosophers, who argued that death is non-existence and therefore should not matter to us. (See a nice discussion of this in Havi Carel's recent book "Illness.") You are perhaps wondering how to interpret a lingering fear of death, and suggesting that such a fear may be rational if it is fear of the possible pain involved in dying. It's also possible that a lingering fear of death is not rational.

It could also be a fear of losing everyone they love -- of the termination of something very good - no matter if there is no one there to experience the loss.

Ie he is convinced that death would bring no pain he might still be afraid. Then it would be something else he feared. I don't know what he might rationally fear in such a case.

Question If a person is not afraid of non-existance then if he is afaid of death he is actually afraid of the possible pain involved ; does this seem reasonable? Accepted:May 31, 2012

Question If a person is not afraid of non-existance then if he is afaid of death he is actually afraid of the possible pain involved ; does this seem reasonable?

Accepted:
May 31, 2012