Perspectives on Death: Crash Course Philosophy #17

Summary

This Crash Course Philosophy episode explores the concept of death and the fear associated with it through various philosophical lenses. It delves into Socrates' view of death as a dreamless sleep or passage to another life, Epicurus' materialistic perspective that death is the cessation of sensation, and Zhuangzi's Daoist approach to death as a natural life cycle event. The episode also touches on Thomas Nagel's thoughts on the fear of missing out post-death, encouraging viewers to reflect on the value of life and the irrationality of fearing one's own demise or that of loved ones.

Takeaways

• 🛑 The script discusses the fear of death and how different cultures and philosophies perceive the afterlife, suggesting that beliefs about an afterlife shape attitudes towards death.
• 🔍 Ancient Egyptians believed in a heart weighing ritual to determine one's fate in the afterlife, with a heart heavy with misdeeds being consumed by a demon.
• 🌟 Christians often envision Saint Peter at the pearly gates, deciding who enters heaven based on their deeds, with the rejected facing eternal torment in hell.
• 🤔 Socrates argued that death is either a dreamless sleep or a passage to another life, and neither should be feared since both are preferable to the troubles of the physical world.
• 🧠 Socrates' view of the afterlife was one of disembodied minds engaging in endless philosophical conversations, free from the constraints of physical bodies.
• 💡 Epicurus, an ancient Stoic philosopher, believed that death is the cessation of sensation and is neither good nor evil, advocating for enjoying life without fear of nonexistence after death.
• 💔 Epicurus argued that fearing nonexistence is irrational since there will be no consciousness to experience the absence of existence after death.
• 🎉 The script suggests that one should live life to the fullest and not worry about the end of sensations, as life is a series of experiences to be enjoyed in the present.
• 🤷‍♂️ Thomas Nagel points out that the fear of death may stem from the fear of missing out on future experiences, but questions why we don't feel the same about what we missed before being born.
• 🌱 Zhuangzi, a Daoist philosopher, viewed death as a natural part of life's cycle, suggesting that mourning it is as illogical as mourning the transition from childhood to adolescence.
• 🎈 Zhuangzi recommended celebrating the death of a loved one as a grand journey, rather than focusing on the loss, and suggested that holding on to the deceased could be seen as selfish.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the philosophical perspectives on death, including various beliefs and arguments from different philosophers about the fear of death and the concept of an afterlife.

What are the two possibilities Socrates considered regarding death?

Socrates considered two possibilities regarding death: either it is a dreamless sleep, or it is a passage to another life.

What does Socrates argue about the nature of the afterlife?

Socrates argues that the afterlife could be like Hades, a place without physical bodies, where only disembodied minds exist, allowing for endless philosophical conversations and learning.

What is Epicurus' view on death and why is he not afraid of it?

Epicurus, a Stoic philosopher, believed that death is the cessation of sensation and since good and evil only make sense in terms of sensation, death is neither good nor evil. He saw no reason to fear nonexistence because there would be no 'you' to experience it.

How does Epicurus use the analogy of a hangover to explain his view on death?

Epicurus uses the hangover analogy to illustrate that death cannot be bad for you at any time because once it arrives, you are gone. Just as a hangover is only bad while it's happening, death is not experienced, so it cannot be bad for you.

What is the philosophical concept of FOMO as it relates to death, according to Thomas Nagel?

The concept of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as it relates to death, according to Thomas Nagel, is the dread of death because one will miss out on future experiences they desire, such as finishing a video game or witnessing historical events.

How does Thomas Nagel challenge the idea of FOMO related to death?

Thomas Nagel challenges the idea of FOMO related to death by asking why we don't feel a deep sense of loss for what we missed before we were born, and suggests that we should not feel loss for what we will miss after we die.

What is the difference between valuing the sanctity of life and valuing the quality of life?

Valuing the sanctity of life means placing a high value on being alive, regardless of the content of life or the person's condition. Valuing the quality of life, on the other hand, distinguishes between lives full of good experiences and those that aren't, implying that not all lives are inherently valuable just for being alive.

How does Zhuangzi view the death of loved ones?

Zhuangzi views the death of loved ones as a natural part of the life cycle and suggests that there is no reason to fear it. He believes that mourning can seem selfish and that one should celebrate the death of a loved one as a grand journey, similar to other life milestones.

What is the significance of the 'going away party' metaphor used by Zhuangzi?

The 'going away party' metaphor used by Zhuangzi signifies the idea that death should be seen as a celebration of a grand journey rather than a cause for mourning. It reflects the belief that one should not hold back those who are moving on to the next phase of existence.

What is the role of Squarespace in the context of the video script?

Squarespace is the sponsor of the Crash Course Philosophy series, and the script mentions it as a platform for creating websites, blogs, or online stores to share one's passion with the world.

Outlines

00:00

🛑 Philosophical Views on Death and the Afterlife

This paragraph explores various philosophical perspectives on death and the afterlife. It starts with an introduction to the topic, mentioning common fears and the influence of cultural and religious beliefs. The ancient Egyptian view of the heart being weighed against a feather in the afterlife is contrasted with the Christian concept of Saint Peter and the pearly gates. The paragraph then delves into Socrates' calm acceptance of death, presenting his argument that death is either a dreamless sleep or a passage to another life, neither of which is frightening. Socrates envisioned the afterlife as a place of intellectual discourse with great thinkers, free from bodily constraints. The paragraph also touches on the idea of focusing on the mind over the body, as it is the mind that may continue in the afterlife. It concludes with Epicurus' materialistic view that death is the cessation of sensation and, therefore, not something to fear, as it holds no negative or positive value.

05:02

🎭 Perspectives on the Fear of Missing Out and Death

The second paragraph discusses the concept of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in relation to death, as presented by contemporary philosopher Thomas Nagel. It addresses the dread some people feel about death due to the experiences they will miss, such as future events or personal milestones. Nagel challenges this fear by questioning why we don't feel a similar loss for the experiences we missed before our birth. The paragraph then examines the value placed on life, distinguishing between those who believe life is inherently good and those who value the quality of life. It suggests that the fear of death may be more about the process and the pain of loss rather than the state of being dead. The discussion includes the idea that some deaths might be seen as positive if they end suffering. The paragraph also explores the fear of the death of loved ones, referencing Zhuangzi's Daoist philosophy that death is a natural part of life's cycle and should be celebrated rather than feared. Zhuangzi argues against mourning and for treating death as another life transition, similar to other milestones we celebrate.

Keywords

💡Afterlife

The concept of an afterlife refers to a belief in a realm or state of existence after death. In the video, it is central to understanding different cultural and philosophical perspectives on death. For instance, the ancient Egyptians believed in a heart weighing ritual to determine one's entry into the underworld, while Christians might envision Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

💡Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who is a central figure in the video's discussion on death. He is known for his calm demeanor even when facing his own death. Socrates proposed that death could either be a dreamless sleep or a passage to another life, neither of which he considered to be fearful.

💡Epicurus

Epicurus was an ancient Stoic philosopher who rejected the idea of an afterlife. He argued that death is the cessation of sensation and, therefore, cannot be considered good or evil. His perspective is used in the video to illustrate a materialistic view that death is not something to be feared because there will be no consciousness to experience nonexistence.

💡Philosophizing

Philosophizing is the act of engaging in philosophical discussion or reasoning. In the context of the video, Socrates' love for philosophizing is highlighted as an activity that does not require a physical body, suggesting that in an afterlife, he would enjoy endless intellectual conversations without the constraints of physical needs.

💡Materialism

Materialism, in the philosophical sense, is the belief that reality is made up solely of matter and physical phenomena. The video uses Epicurus' materialistic view to argue that since we are essentially our bodies, death is simply the end of our physical existence and sensations, thus not something to fear.

💡Quality of Life

Quality of life refers to the level of overall well-being and satisfaction in life. The video discusses this concept in relation to death, suggesting that if one values the quality of life, they might see some deaths as positive or valuable, especially if they bring an end to suffering.

💡Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

FOMO is a contemporary term used to describe the anxiety of missing out on experiences. In the video, Thomas Nagel's philosophical perspective is presented, where he points out that the fear of death as a missed opportunity to experience future events is irrational, as we do not feel loss for what we missed before we were born.

💡Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi was an ancient Chinese Daoist philosopher whose views on death are discussed in the video. He believed that death is a natural part of the life cycle and should not be feared. Zhuangzi suggested that mourning the death of loved ones could be seen as selfish, as it prevents them from moving on to their next journey.

💡Sanctity of Life

The sanctity of life is the belief that human life is inherently valuable and should be respected and protected. In the video, this concept is contrasted with the idea of valuing quality of life, highlighting a philosophical debate on whether it is the mere existence of life or its quality that holds value.

💡Pearly Gates

The pearly gates are a symbolic representation of the entrance to heaven in Christian belief. In the video, the concept is used to illustrate the idea of an afterlife and the judgment that might occur upon death, with Saint Peter checking if one's name is on his list to enter heaven.

💡Eternal Torment

Eternal torment refers to the concept of endless suffering, often associated with hell in various religious beliefs. The video uses this term to describe the fear of being banished to hell, emphasizing the anxiety some people may feel about the finality and consequences of death.

Highlights

Socrates believed that death is not to be feared, proposing that it is either a dreamless sleep or a passage to another life.

Ancient Egyptians thought that the heart's weight would determine one's afterlife, with a heavy heart being consumed by a demon.

Christians may envision Saint Peter at the pearly gates, deciding who enters heaven based on their deeds.

Socrates argued that if there is an afterlife, it would be like having endless philosophical conversations with great thinkers.

Epicurus, an ancient Stoic philosopher, believed death is the cessation of sensation and is neither good nor evil.

Epicurus thought fearing nonexistence is irrational since there will be no consciousness to experience it.

Thomas Nagel discusses the fear of missing out on future experiences as a reason some dread death.

Nagel questions why we don't feel a loss for what we missed before birth, comparing it to what we'll miss after death.

The value of life is debated, with some valuing the sanctity of life itself, regardless of its content, while others value the quality of life and its experiences.

Zhuangzi, a Daoist philosopher, believed that death is a natural part of the life cycle and should not be feared.

Zhuangzi suggested celebrating the death of a loved one as a grand journey, rather than mourning it.

The episode explores various philosophical perspectives on death, including the fear of one's own death and the death of others.

Socrates encouraged focusing on the mind, as it is the part of you that may continue in an afterlife.

Epicurus argued that fearing death is counterproductive, as it prevents us from enjoying life to its fullest.

The episode uses the analogy of a hangover to explain Epicurus's view on death, emphasizing that death cannot be bad for you at any time.

Nagel's perspective on death is compared to a 'philosophical FOMO', highlighting the fear of missing out on future experiences.

The episode concludes by discussing the philosophical responses to the fear of death and the importance of understanding what we value about life.

Transcripts

Crash Course Philosophy is brought to you by Squarespace

Squarespace: Share your passion with the world

What are you afraid of? Spiders? Public speaking? The dentist? Calculus?

What about death?

How you feel about death has probably been shaped by your beliefs about whether or not there’s an afterlife

– and if there is, what it’s like.

The ancient Egyptians believed that, at death, your heart would be weighed against a feather,

to determine if it was fit to enter the underworld.

A heart heavy with mis-deeds would be fed to a demon.

Christians may envision Saint Peter, waiting at the pearly gates to welcome you into heaven,

unless your name doesn’t make his list.

Imagine not only being turned away from the coolest club in town, but banished to the eternal torments of hell.

As we learned in our discussions about the philosophy of religion, when the stakes are eternal,

it’s only reasonable to get a little nervous about what’s basically the Ultimate Final Exam.

But if it makes you feel any better, many philosophers have believed, and still believe,

that death is nothing to fear.

[Theme Music]

In 399 BCE, Socrates was sentenced to death for, among other things,

refusing to acknowledge the official deities of Athens,

radicalizing youth, and generally honking off the people in charge.

But even when he faced his own imminent death, he remained calm and unafraid.

He was a philosopher, after all. And fear was no match for his ability to argue.

Socrates didn’t think we could know if there’s an afterlife or not,

but he thought there were really only two possibilities.

And as far as he was concerned, neither of them was anything to be afraid of.

Here’s his argument:

Either death is a dreamless sleep Or death is a passage to another life

Dreamless sleeps are nice, not scary (Socrates said he could use the rest)

And a passage to another life sounds good, too,

because he’ll get to hang out with cool people from the past who have already died

Therefore, either way, death is nothing to fear

Socrates’ idea of the afterlife was Hades, which he seems to have pictured as being a lot like Athens,

except that no one had any physical bodies – only disembodied minds.

And frankly he thought that sounded awesome, because bodies can be a real pain;

they just need to be fed, and require rest. Just, so much upkeep.

So, in the afterlife, Socrates imagined he’d get to have endless philosophical conversations,

and continue learning new things, with the greatest thinkers of the past.

And they wouldn’t have to take a break to eat or sleep or pee!

Now, Socrates recognized that, although his favorite activity, philosophizing, didn’t require a body, some things do.

And if all of your favorite pastimes are physical, you might find the afterlife disappointing.

That’s why Socrates recommended spending your life looking after your mind,

cultivating that part of you that you’ll get to keep forever – if there’s an afterlife.

If you do that, when the time comes for you to die, you’ll actually see death as a benefit,

because you won’t be troubled by bodily things, while your mind will be in top form.

But what if there isn’t an afterlife?

What about that “dreamless sleep” that Socrates spoke about?

Isn’t total annihilation of the self, like, the scariest thing there is?

Ancient Stoic philosopher Epicurus didn’t think so.

He lived about a hundred years after Socrates, and he rejected belief in an afterlife altogether.

Instead, he said we’re just our bodies, and nothing more.

But still, he still didn’t find death scary.

Here’s his argument. Death is the cessation of sensation.

Good and evil only make sense in terms of sensation.

So, Death is neither good nor evil.

Epicurus was convinced that things are only evil, or bad, if they feel bad.

And he didn’t mean only physical feelings.

Anyone who’s ever had a broken heart will tell you that it’s a lot more painful, and harder to heal, than a broken leg.

But a broken heart is still a sensation – you need a body to experience it – so as a materialist –

someone who believed that You equal Your Body – death just meant nonexistence.

And there was nothing scary about that, because, well,

there won’t be any you to have any feelings about not existing!

Epicurus argued that fearing nonexistence is not only stupid, but it gets in the way of enjoying life.

You are alive, and experiencing sensations, now.

So, he said, make those sensations as great as possible,

and don’t worry about when those sensations are going to stop! YOLO!

To help you understand Epicurus and his attitudes about death a little better,

let’s head over to the Thought Bubble for some Flash Philosophy.

Think about a hangover. If you haven’t had one, imagine what they might be like.

Hangovers aren’t bad for you before you get one, right?

In fact, the thing that comes before the hangover is often quite pleasant, what with all the laughing,

and feeling uninhibited, and working up the courage to talk to that cutie from your calculus class.

No, the hangover is only bad while it’s happening.

And true: It might be bad after it’s over, like, if it kept you from doing well on your calculus exam the next morning,

because you were too busy trying not to barf in front of said cutie.

But the point is, if something is bad for you, it’s generally bad for you at a particular time, the way a hangover is.

But Epicurus said that death can’t be bad for you at any time.

Because once it arrives, you’re gone!

The thing that eventually kills you? Yeah, that’s gonna be bad for you, before your death.

But that’s not death.

When you think about it, you and Death are never present at the same time.

And if there’s no you when death is present, then there is no time in which death is bad for you.

Thanks, Thought Bubble!

So, things like hangovers and charley horses and movie spoilers are bad, because you’re there to experience them.

But as far as Epicurus was concerned, life was like a night of drinking before a hangover,

which – inevitable as it is – you will never actually experience.

Now, the 21st century has its own perspectives on death.

And one might be best described as a kind of philosophical FOMO.

Contemporary American philosopher Thomas Nagel points out that some people dread death

because they’ll miss out on things that they want to experience.

If you died right now, you’d never get to finish the video game you’re in the middle of,

or read the next George RR Martin book, or see humans land on Mars.

Which would suck, yeah.

But think about it like this: Cool stuff was going on way before you were born. And you missed it!

I’m gonna make some assumptions about your age here

and say that you weren’t listening when Orson Welles terrified the nation with the War of the Worlds.

You didn’t march on Washington. You totally missed Woodstock.

So, Nagel asks: If you don’t feel some sort of deep sense of loss at what you missed before you were alive,

why should you feel loss at what you’ll miss after you die?

Now, Nagel does point out that, if we believe that life is essentially good,

then there is something to mourn when a life is cut short.

Since humans can live, on average, for about 80 years,

someone dying at the age of 20 is a tragedy, because that person missed out on 60 possible years of good times.

But we should pause here to talk about what you really value about life,

because that will also have an impact on what you think about death in general,

or about the death of a particular person.

If you say that life is just always, inherently, good, then you’re said to place a high value on the sanctity of life.

It doesn’t matter what the content of that life looks like, or what the person is like.

The fact that they’re alive is just good. So, losing it would not be good.

But, if you think that quality of life is what’s important,

then you’re going to want to distinguish between lives that are full of good experiences, and those that aren’t.

If you value quality of life, you don’t think that there’s something inherently valuable about merely being alive.

So in these terms, some deaths might actually be positive or valuable –

like, if they bring about an end to a terrible, painful existence.

Now, of course, it might make sense to be afraid of dying itself,

because the process of dying can be painful and drawn out and involve saying a lot of difficult good-byes.

But maybe Socrates and Epicurus have convinced you that fearing your own death is absurd.

Well then what about the death of others? Is it equally silly to fear the death of the people you love?

Probably so, say some philosophers, because what you’re fearing isn’t actually death;

what you’re afraid of is being left behind, alone, when a loved one dies.

And this is a good place to hear from ancient Chinese Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi.

He lived about the same time as Epicurus, and believed that there’s no reason to fear the death of your loved ones.

He asked, why would you fear the inevitable?

We know death is going to happen, to everyone, and we also know that it’s a part of the life cycle.

And we don’t see any other part of that cycle as being bad.

Wouldn’t it be silly, he said, if we mourned the loss of our babies when they became toddlers,

or our children when they became teens?

We celebrate every other life milestone, with birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and graduations,

to mark the passage of time and the changes that have come.

Sure, your parents might shed some tears when they pack you off to college,

but they also knew that that day was going to come –

when you would move away from them and onto your own life.

So death, according to Zhuangzi, is just one more change – why treat it differently?

Instead, he said, you should celebrate the death of a loved one

just as you celebrated every other life change that they experienced.

You should think of their death as a going away party for a grand journey.

In his view, mourning can actually seem selfish.

When it’s time for the people you love to move on, Zhuangzi said,

the last thing you should do is hold them closer.

Today we talked about death.

We considered philosophical responses – from Socrates, Epicurus, and Zhuangzi,

about whether it’s logical to fear your own death, or the deaths of your loved ones.

And we talked about Thomas Nagel, death, and Fear of Missing Out.

This episode of Crash Course Philosophy is made possible by Squarespace.

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Crash Course Philosophy is produced in association with PBS Digital Studios.

You can head over to their channel to check out amazing shows like

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This episode of Crash Course was filmed in the Doctor Cheryl C. Kinney Crash Course Studio

with the help of all of these awesome people and our equally fantastic graphics team is Thought Cafe.