History of thinking about Human Nature, Death & Dying
What comments do you have about what you've read from Barry chpt 2 and/or Ten Theories "Historical Interlude"? What surprised you? What was refreshing? What do you want to know more about and why?
Ch. 2 talked about the fear of death and humans. One question stuck with me from this chapter and that was, "Is the fear of death a feature or a characteristic of humans? If so, can we control it? Or should we be able to control it?"
I found it interesting that Spinoza says matter and mind are Not two separate substances, but rather two attributes. From Hobbes, basically I took away the whole idea of be nice to your neighbor. I like Rousseau's take on "true worship is of the heart."
I think it is important to look back at history in order to understand what and why things around us happen. It is helpful to understand why philosophers like Kant and Marx, believe what they believe and why they believe it. The part most interested me was the talk about the mind and body during the rise of science. Descartes and Spinoza talk about human nature between body and mind. This is a contraversial and interesting topic that really challenges one to think about how they feel.
I had a hard time relating to Hume and his belief that all knowledge about the world must be based on experience and that pure reason can not yield any substantive truth about the world. I don't agree with his statement that all ideas must have pedigree (proof) otherwise they don't count. If that were the case, than religion would cease to exist. It is interesting that he attempted to apply scientific theory to human nature in that he was trying to apply solid, structural thinking to an abstract concept.
I would be curious to know if the fear and anxiety of dying is lessened or relieved slightly by near death experiences? Does almost dying once make the actual death easier to bear? I believe that faith has a soothing aspect for the fear and anxiety of death but could it be reaffirmed by seeing, feeling, or experiencing the beginning of death.
It talked about the fear of death. I agree with the part that once you accept death you can live a more liberated life. Not saying that if you don't think about death and you don't accept it you will be crippled. But I do believe if you constantly think of death and fear dying that will cripple you.
I agree with Elizabeth. Could having a near death experience be the same as when it actually happens? I believe that it is more soothing and easy on that person because they been through it and now its just like their use to it and know whats going to happen. Maybe you can say that people who have near death experiences are like "dead time travelers" who experience it and live to tell about. With these near death experiencers I can say that what they saw can better make religious accusations more realistic and reassuring for religious people in the after life beliefs.
I had a recent concussion which I believe opened up my eyes. My views conflict all the time when I think about if I have really accepted death and am fine with the fact that it is out there, or, whether I am scared of it instead because I am not ready to depart from this world. After my concussion (and fairly far into the state of recovery), I thought about the concept of higher brain function and what it truly means to be dead in general. I thought to myself that, as scary as it is, it was also rather fascinating as to how fast the severeness of a situation can escalate as well as how quickly a person can forget everything that happened in the last week. Perhaps its not, but to me this seemed like it would be a near death experience. It literally felt like nothingness and floating (which is what I think I remember), and when I came to it was a sense of fright - because I had no clue what was going on - and then immediate relief when I looked around my surroundings and saw people I knew and remembered. I find this relevant on the basis that it provides at least some sort of insight on a near death experience and death as a whole.
Ch. 2 talked about the fear of death and humans. One question stuck with me from this chapter and that was, "Is the fear of death a feature or a characteristic of humans?
ReplyDeleteIf so, can we control it? Or should we be able to control it?"
I found it interesting that Spinoza says matter and mind are Not two separate substances, but rather two attributes.
From Hobbes, basically I took away the whole idea of be nice to your neighbor.
I like Rousseau's take on "true worship is of the heart."
I think it is important to look back at history in order to understand what and why things around us happen. It is helpful to understand why philosophers like Kant and Marx, believe what they believe and why they believe it. The part most interested me was the talk about the mind and body during the rise of science. Descartes and Spinoza talk about human nature between body and mind. This is a contraversial and interesting topic that really challenges one to think about how they feel.
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time relating to Hume and his belief that all knowledge about the world must be based on experience and that pure reason can not yield any substantive truth about the world. I don't agree with his statement that all ideas must have pedigree (proof) otherwise they don't count. If that were the case, than religion would cease to exist. It is interesting that he attempted to apply scientific theory to human nature in that he was trying to apply solid, structural thinking to an abstract concept.
ReplyDeleteI would be curious to know if the fear and anxiety of dying is lessened or relieved slightly by near death experiences? Does almost dying once make the actual death easier to bear? I believe that faith has a soothing aspect for the fear and anxiety of death but could it be reaffirmed by seeing, feeling, or experiencing the beginning of death.
ReplyDeleteIt talked about the fear of death. I agree with the part that once you accept death you can live a more liberated life. Not saying that if you don't think about death and you don't accept it you will be crippled. But I do believe if you constantly think of death and fear dying that will cripple you.
ReplyDeletefrom Brandon
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elizabeth. Could having a near death experience be the same as when it actually happens? I believe that it is more soothing and easy on that person because they been through it and now its just like their use to it and know whats going to happen. Maybe you can say that people who have near death experiences are like "dead time travelers" who experience it and live to tell about.
With these near death experiencers I can say that what they saw can better make religious accusations more realistic and reassuring for religious people in the after life beliefs.
I had a recent concussion which I believe opened up my eyes. My views conflict all the time when I think about if I have really accepted death and am fine with the fact that it is out there, or, whether I am scared of it instead because I am not ready to depart from this world. After my concussion (and fairly far into the state of recovery), I thought about the concept of higher brain function and what it truly means to be dead in general. I thought to myself that, as scary as it is, it was also rather fascinating as to how fast the severeness of a situation can escalate as well as how quickly a person can forget everything that happened in the last week. Perhaps its not, but to me this seemed like it would be a near death experience. It literally felt like nothingness and floating (which is what I think I remember), and when I came to it was a sense of fright - because I had no clue what was going on - and then immediate relief when I looked around my surroundings and saw people I knew and remembered. I find this relevant on the basis that it provides at least some sort of insight on a near death experience and death as a whole.
ReplyDelete