For the discussion of all things philosophical.
https://canzookia.com/
David, if you are reading this, when I said earlier that you were 'one of a kind', I meant in the way you have shared this devastating illness with its early departure from life. What might be seen as an 'objective' philosophical discussion about death from an atheist and humanist's perspective, must hide some real anguish and anger, as well as coping with the cancer itself.Death is said to be a part of one’s life, but surely that is not the case if life has not preceded it. Robert Nozick said that “How unwilling someone is to die should depend, I think, upon what he has left undone, and also upon his capacity to do things.” In this sense a premature or untimely death is considered all the more tragic. Although death need not be feared, the prospect of not fully having lived life is heart-wrenching. We need time to realise our aspirations in order to leave a footprint behind. Whether or not we go “gentle into that good night” depends much on that footprint. Our life party will end in tears if we do not feel it is time to go.
While an early departure has its obvious setbacks, receiving prior notification of it contains a blessing that many do not get. Millions of people each year die suddenly. They get no chance to say goodbye. With cancer you are usually forewarned, and you can fight it for a while. This buys time to put your house in order and say farewell to those you love. We all know that our time is finite, but we tend to live as if it isn’t. As hard as it is to confront, terminal disease allows the afflicted to live life in full realization of its finitude. There is no ‘later’ for which to put off those difficult gestures we otherwise never get around to doing.
So, time and circumstances are exactly what this is about. How one's philosophy and beliefs affect you, and loved ones, when 'coming to terms with mortality in a hurry'.Vor wrote:David, none of us will avoid what you are experiencing.
The only differences are the times and circumstances. Sometimes I envy those who have gone already, it is over with, no more thinking about when and where. We know nothing after death and why would we want to.
It is the process of dying that is the most difficult, the sadness would be unbearable.
There is nothing callous about a sceptical thought occurring to anyone. It's what you do with the thought that counts.Vor wrote:Perhaps this may sound somewhat callous.
The thought did occur to me, whether or not "The Party Without Me" is genuine.
marjoram_blues wrote:There is nothing callous about a sceptical thought occurring to anyone. It's what you do with the thought that counts.Vor wrote:Perhaps this may sound somewhat callous.
The thought did occur to me, whether or not "The Party Without Me" is genuine.
Think about it.
The article is about one man's struggle to come to terms with terminal cancer - as someone who does not believe in God or a Heaven.
'Not an attempt to pull at heart strings' - but, for me, it does that anyway.
A remarkable piece.
He says that 'nothing can be more comforting for the living than a religious promise that our loved one has not really died, but is now in a 'better place' where we will be eventually reunited. Yet if we don't accept this idea, we must face our loss head on. And an important part of the consolation for those who are departing is that we know that those who stay behind will through their love grieve and remember us'.
My own thought is that I don't like the word 'consolation' as used here. It would not soothe me to know that others are grieving or that I will be remembered.
I can imagine dying alone - without any soothing belief that I'm on my way to Heaven or physical hugs or waves good-bye - I will need no consolation. Only an inner smile and imagined arms circling me in a hug. If unable to do either of these things, then I'm dead already.
As things stand- I'm leaving this thread; this party can go on, without me.
Bye, David. Hugs.