Summary

The website content discusses the philosophical perspective on death, particularly through the lens of Epicurus and Eastern philosophies, emphasizing the importance of understanding death to fully appreciate life and achieve equanimity.

Abstract

The article delves into the concept of death, drawing on the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who posited that death is of no value to us since it does not affect us while we are alive and we cease to exist when it comes. The author extends this idea by suggesting that it is specifically our own death that does not affect us, but we are impacted by the death of loved ones. The piece also explores how the awareness of death's inevitability can enhance our appreciation for life, encouraging us to live to our fullest potential, as reflected in the Latin phrase "Memento Mori." Furthermore, the author contrasts the fear of death with the idea that death itself, as opposed to the process of dying, is not inherently frightening and can even be celebrated in certain cultural contexts. The article touches on the Buddhist concept of impermanence and the role of attachment in suffering, advocating for non-attachment as a means to cope with grief. The author reflects on personal experiences with loss and how Eastern philosophies have provided comfort and understanding, suggesting that wisdom and considering different perspectives on life and death can aid in the healing process.

Opinions

The author agrees with Epicurus that our own death does not affect us while we are alive but acknowledges the emotional impact of losing loved ones.
The article suggests that the inevitability of death should motivate us to value and live life more fully.
It is proposed that death itself, the moment of ceasing to exist, is not something to be feared, unlike the process of dying which can be painful.
The author points out that many cultures and philosophies, particularly in the East, view death as a cause for celebration rather than sorrow.
The concept of impermanence in Buddhism is highlighted as a key to understanding and accepting the transient nature of life and relationships.
The author believes that non-attachment is a healthier approach to grief, distinguishing it from indifference and emphasizing the acceptance of impermanence.
Personal grief experienced by the author has reinforced the value of Eastern philosophical views on life and death.
The article encourages readers to consider diverse perspectives on life, death, and grief as a path to healing and wisdom.

Culture

Epicurus on the Value of Death

And the comfort of wisdom.

One cannot go through life without feeling lost, being lost, parting ways with people and things. Gains and losses, ups and downs, these are the natural rhythms of life’s uncertainty.

But if there’s one certain thing in this world, it’s that we are all going to die. Sometimes we may court death, only to throw ourselves back in the arms of life. It’s what people practicing extreme sports often do. But eventually, death will embrace us all. We know it’s inevitable, and yet we shy away from mentioning it. We are shocked and scared by it.

In his “Letter to Menoeceus” the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus famously claimed that death is nothing to us:

Death […], the most awful of evils, is nothing to us, seeing that, when we are, death is not come, and, when death is come, we are not.

To rephrase this, death is of no value to us because it does not affect us while we are alive, and when we are dead, we can no longer be affected by it, since we have seized to exist.

I agree with Epicurus that while we are alive death does not affect us. But I feel like for his statement to be complete, we need to add one more word — our. It’s our death that does not affect us, but we are often affected by the loss of dear ones.

And if I were to object against Epicurus, I’d say that internalizing the fact that your time is limited can help you value life more. Thus, death can affect the way you live your life. Memento Mori! Remember you will die, and so try to live up to your fullest potential.

As to the second part of Epicurus’ claim — that death no longer affects us when we are dead, I think people often mistake dying with death. Dying can be a painful and horrible experience, which affects us negatively. But death itself, the very moment one ceases to exist, is when one’s no longer affected by anything.

What happens after that? Do we turn into ghosts? Does our consciousness move to another realm? Is there an afterlife? What are the rules that govern it? We don’t know, and that’s what fuels our fear of death.

In fact, Epicurus makes his claim about death being nothing to us in the course of defending the thesis that anyone can reach ataraxia — perfect equanimity. Because death is something most people dread, the philosopher explains why we shouldn’t allow such unreasonable fears to stand on our way to ataraxia.

The Roman philosopher Lucretius echoes Epicurus’ concerns and words in his philosophical epic De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things), where he equates our pre-natal state of non-existence with our post-mortem one. We are not scared of what was before our birth, why should we be of that which comes after our death?

In fact, why not consider death (not dying) as something good? If we turn to the philosophies of the East, as well as to the cultures of many tribes around the world, we’ll find that there are those who celebrate death. For them, life is suffering. And as Buddha suggests in his four noble truths, the reasons for our suffering are craving (attachment), and ignorance. One interpretation could be that we crave the pleasures of life so much, and we are so attached to it, that we fail to see the truth about life and death.

And indeed, attachment is the key ingredient of grief. Everything is impermanent — from this very moment now to our lives to the structure of the Universe. Accepting that those we love won’t be around forever can ease our grief. Non-attachment is not indifference. It’s our willingness to face the reality of impermanence.

Think of some of the most common phrases people utter when they grieve over those they’ve lost: How could you leave me alone? What am I to do without you, my love? How can I live without you? Life without you is pointless!

All these phrases express how difficult it will be for us to move on. We think we grieve for those we’ve lost, when, in fact, for the most part we are sad about our own existence without them. But isn’t that self-centered? Of course, it’s not always and entirely the case, but it’s a fact. On rare occasions do we hear someone sob at a funeral, whispering to the deceased I’m so sorry you never managed to finish that painting of yours!

And perhaps, as they utter these word, at the back of their minds, people think how unfair it all is. But unfair according to whose standards? The laws of Nature and the Universe, I reckon, are still unfathomable to us.

I’ve always been drawn to the Eastern school of thought, growing ever more fond of some Buddhist and Taoist points of view. This year, my father’s death and the loss of someone very dear to me put my mindset to a test. I realized how these Buddhist and Taoist’s life views proved to be more than ideas I’d like to associate with, but also embedded in my being and reactions. I guess that’s the difference between knowing something and understanding, while living it.

Wisdom has its way of comforting us. Though sometimes it can also push us towards uncomfortable questions. In life, we make up our minds. And our minds make up our realities. Considering other perspectives about life, death, and grief could take us one step closer to healing.

If you like what you’ve read, you can support me by clicking on the Follow button — a guarantee you won’t miss out on my new articles.

Thank you!