Human Condition and Mortality

Human Condition and Mortality

• Existentialism emphasizes the inherent meaninglessness of life, but also the importance of individual creation of meaning. Key figures include Jean-Paul Sartre, who focused on the absurdity of life, and Martin Heidegger, highlighting being "toward death" as a defining characteristic.
• Existential anxiety is recognized as a response to the awareness of impending death, urging individuals to search for deeper meaning and authenticity. Victor Frankl emphasized finding meaning in suffering, while Friedrich Nietzsche emphasized affirming life's intensity.
• Stoicism and Epicureanism offer contrasting perspectives on death. Stoics encouraged virtuous living and embracing the present moment, while Epicureans suggested that death shouldn't be feared—that once dead, there is no further suffering or pain.

The Impermanence of Life

• Philosophies like Epicureanism and Stoicism provide frameworks for accepting and living with the certainty of death.
• The Stoics believed that acknowledging the inevitability of death encourages living virtuously in the present moment, given the shortness of life.
• Epicurus's philosophy advocated that death should not be feared, as there is no suffering or fear after death.

Living with Death in Mind

• Death prompts recognition of the need for authentic living.
• Death can be viewed as an opportunity for transcendence or transition to another existence.

Death in Eastern Philosophies

• Buddhism and Hinduism view death as part of an ongoing cycle of existence.
• These philosophies focus on the need to achieve liberation (Nirvana, Moksha) from this cyclical existence.

Death in Christianity

• In Christianity, death is viewed within the context of eternal life.
• Resurrection is emphasized as a transition to eternal life.

Key Takeaways

• We are called to seek meaning in our life.
• Life is full of uncertainty.
• Death is inevitable.