21. Other bad aspects of death, Part II

Death (PHIL 176)

Further bad aspects of death are considered, including ubiquity, or the fact that death may occur at any time and strike anyone. Professor Kagan invites students to contemplate the possibility of death-free time periods, vacation spots, and activities. Then there is consideration of the value of the human condition, which consists of life, followed by death. Finally, the question is raised as to whether it could be appropriate to refuse to face the facts about our mortality. Professor Kagan distinguishes between two ways in which thinking about these could influence human behavior. On the one hand, it may give one the reason to behave differently; on the other hand, it may just cause a change in behavior.

00:00 - Chapter 1. How Much Time Do We Have Left?
07:00 - Chapter 2. The Ubiquity of Death
16:17 - Chapter 3. What is the Value of Life with Death? Positive and Negative Interaction Effects
27:59 - Chapter 4. "Better Off Never to Have Been Born": A Rationale
32:55 - Chapter 5. Should We Even Think About Death to Live Life?
47:26 - Chapter 6. Controlling the Impact of Thinking about Death and Conclusion

Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.edu

This course was recorded in Spring 2007.