All of us humans are going to die, so how should we think about this fact of death?
Death is something that affects all humans, and this realization often brings fear. Epicurus, however, argues that we do not have to fear death, once we understand what death is. He bases his explanation in science, but is it a good one, and does it relieve fear the way that Epicurus wants?
The death of a loved one is a major source of suffering, but Epictetus the stoic says we don’t have to suffer when this happens. We need, instead, to gain apathy by recognizing the true nature of the world. Is Epictetus onto something, or is he just stuffing his emotions?
Plato views death as a good thing, because his soul will continue to live and he will finally have what he wants most. A Christian may be attracted to Plato’s belief in an afterlife and insistence that we must be virtuous in preparation for it. But is Plato’s view of death one a Christian should embrace?
Bertrand Russell sees death as a bad thing, which seems right. He also proposes that, despite its inevitability, we can defy death and be free. Does his view make sense, and is it an adequate response to death?
