When you know you are going to die, it is a struggle *not* to be philosophical

[Received]

I think the reason why the Heideggerian perspective works so well is that it forces people to realize that since death is the ultimate end, there is therefore a sense of finitude and ending in each and every moment. Death is just the end of one important moment, and when we realize this we can reasonably generalize the tragedy of ending each moment without actualizing our possibilities by doing the things we are called to do during this life.

Because that's what makes death so bitter: not the physicality of dying, but the more "spiritual" (in a secular sense) understanding of not actualizing our possibilities. The sting of death is the sting of never giving birth.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Because that's what makes death so bitter: not the physicality of dying, but the more "spiritual" (in a secular sense) understanding of not actualizing our possibilities. The sting of death is the sting of never giving birth.

That makes sense. I do like that train of thought.

Certainly, I think that the sense of having given birth to one's potentials is a balm against the sting of death. One feels that one has accomplished some of one's personal destiny.

I suppose I am just repeating you, but I am repeating my own thoughts as well.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[PsychoSarah]

If you're female its not a struggle, its strife.



Ok well part of the point was to find out what people do think.

I mean is it any wonder that every bond villain waxes lyrical when he thinks he's caught bond for the last time?

Struggle and strife are synonyms

 

[Received]

That makes sense. I do like that train of thought.

Certainly, I think that the sense of having given birth to one's potentials is a balm against the sting of death. One feels that one has accomplished some of one's personal destiny.

I suppose I am just repeating you, but I am repeating my own thoughts as well.


eudaimonia,

Mark

It's a really fascinating train of thought. Nietzsche said that everything ripe longs to die. Our problem is underripeness. I haven't tried it with clients, but my guess is that any death anxiety I experience in a therapy setting is alleviated by being more active with our possibilities, and more accepting of our limitations in actualizing them in our lifetime.

 

[PsychoSarah]

It's a really fascinating train of thought. Nietzsche said that everything ripe longs to die. Our problem is underripeness. I haven't tried it with clients, but my guess is that any death anxiety I experience in a therapy setting is alleviated by being more active with our possibilities, and more accepting of our limitations in actualizing them in our lifetime.

Nah, a good number of old people react just as scared and anxious about death as younger people, perhaps more because death is more likely to happen soon

 

[Received]

Nah, a good number of old people react just as scared and anxious about death as younger people, perhaps more because death is more likely to happen soon

So you're saying the vast majority of old people aren't insulated against living their lives fully, which would take away much if not all of the sting of death?

 

[PsychoSarah]

So you're saying the vast majority of old people aren't insulated against living their lives fully, which would take away much if not all of the sting of death?

I'd say pessimism probably contributes to the unhappiness; not a majority, perhaps 1/5 or so.