The Metaphysics of DeathThis collection of seventeen essays deals with the metaphysical, as opposed to the moral issues pertaining to death. For example, the authors investigate (among other things) the issue of what makes death a bad thing for an individual, if indeed death is a bad thing. This issue is more basic and abstract than such moral questions as the particular conditions under which euthanasia is justified, if it is ever justified. Though there are important connections between the more abstract questions addressed in this book and many contemporary moral issues, such as euthanasia, suicide, and abortion, the primary focus of this book is on metaphysical issues concerning the nature of death: What is the nature of the harm or bad involved in death? (If it is not pain, wha is it, and how can it be bad?) Who is the subject of the harm or bad? (if the person is no longer alive, how can he be the subject of the bad? An if he is not the subject, who is? Can one have harm with no subject?) When does the harm take place? (Can a harm take place after its subject ceases to exist? If death harms a person, can the harm take place before the death occurs?) If death can be a bad thing, would immorality be a desirable alternative? This family of questions helps to fram ethe puzzle of why--and how--death is bad. Other subjects addressed include the Epicurean view othat death is not a misfortune (for the person who dies); the nature of misfortune and benefit; the meaningulness and value of life; and the distinction between the life of a person and the life of a living creature who is not a person. There is an extensive bibiography that includes science-fiction treatments of death and immorality. |
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Contents
Death Metaphysics | 3 |
Death Knocks | 33 |
Rationality and the Fear of Death | 43 |
Thomas Nagel | 61 |
Reflections on | 73 |
The Evil of Death | 95 |
A Defense | 119 |
The Dead | 137 |
Why Is Death Bad? | 221 |
Death and the Value of Life | 233 |
Annihilation | 269 |
Epicurus and Annihilation | 293 |
Some Puzzles About the Evil of Death | 307 |
WellBeing and Time | 329 |
Notes | 363 |
403 | |
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actual affairs affect alive answer argue argument assumption attitudes become believe benefits better born cause Chapter claim comparative concept concern condition consider continue course dead death depends deprivation desires died dies discussion dying earlier Epicurean Epicurean view Epicurus equal evaluation evil example exist experience experienced explain fact fear feel future give given going ground happen harm hence human idea imagine important indifferent individual interests involves irrational kind later least less living longer look loss matter mean merely misfortune momentary moral Nagel natural never nonexistence object occur one's pain particular past perhaps person philosophers pleasure possible posthumous prefer present problem question rational reason regard relation relevant Requirement seems sense simply someone sort suffering suggested Suppose sure temporal theory things thought tion true welfare well-being worse wrong