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Despite the fact that we all die, humans do not share the same view of death. In Death: A Reader, Mary Ann G. Cutter explores prominent themes that emerge and reemerge in the history of ideas regarding the nature of death from prominent global perspectives that span ancient to contemporary discussions. Thirteen themes are presented in order to convey a sense of major views of death that are found in the philosophical and sacred literature of Asia, the Near and Middle East, and the West. Each chapter contains the context of the theme, primary source selections, reflections, and suggestions for further reading.
Four features of this volume distinguish it from other philosophical texts on death. First, Cutter provides a culturally diverse selection of primary source readings on the nature of death. Second, along with the more traditional discussions of death, she provides discussion on emerging topics in death studies--namely, medical immortality and digital immortality. Third, she presents some of the key ethical issues regarding death, notably suicide, treatment refusal, and physician-assisted suicide, through the lens of the nature of death. Finally, she offers engaging practical exercises that challenge readers to think through their own personal and legal wishes regarding death and dying.
List of contents
Preface
1. Thinking About Death
Part 1. The Nature of Death
2. Physical Disintegration
3. Psychological Disintegration
4. Reincarnation
5. Resurrection
6. Medical Immortality
7. Digital Immortality
8. An Existential Phenomenon of Life
Part 2. The Value of Death 9.Bad or Good
10. To Be Feared or Not
11. To Be Grieved and How
Part 3. The Choice of Death 12.To Be Hastened or Not: The Case of Suicide
13. To Be Hastened or Not: The Case of Treatment Refusal
14. To Be Hastened or Not: The Case of Physician-Assisted Suicide
Part 4. The Lessons of Death
15. A Window into Life
Glossary of Philosophical Terms
References
Notes
About the author
Mary Ann G. Cutter is professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is the author and co-author of a number of books, including
Thinking through Breast Cancer: A Philosophical Exploration of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival.
Summary
Despite the fact that we all die, humans do not share the same view of death. In Death: A Reader, Mary Ann G. Cutter explores prominent themes that emerge and reemerge in the history of ideas regarding the nature of death from prominent global perspectives that span ancient to contemporary discussions.
