Should We Fear Death?

Epicurus argues that we should not fear our death because once we die we will feel nothing and not exist so therefore, there is nothing to worry about.  Since we do not exist after our death then we cannot experience our death.  Without experiencing our death it is not good or bad for us and so we have nothing to fear.  To follow this argument you must agree that we do not survive our death which while I do think we survive our death I will not argue that point. I disagree with the fact that we should not fear death because we will not exist.  A lot of peoples biggest fear is to be forgotten and not to be remembered by people, so thinking we will not exist at all will really scare people because it is the unknown.  Everyone knows we will die so I do not think it is the fact of dying that will scare us but the fact of not existing at all.  I think it is almost better for people to be told they are going to exist so they believe they will get to live on.  That way people will fear nothing if they think death is a way we get to go on to something much better than what we had on earth.  Gives people a sense of hope.  Not fearing death because we will not exist and experience death takes a certain type of mindset and I wouldn't think would work for most people.  So I see what Epicurus is saying but I do not think his argument would work for most people because of what we fear is not existing or being remembered anymore and yet, Epicurus is saying that is why we should not fear death.

Comments

  1. CurbeeMarch 19, 2019 at 1:45 PM

    I agree with your belief, disagreeing with Epicurus on how we wouldn't fear death. Many people grow up with the fact that everyone goes through death, and I believe this scares people for the right reasons. I also agree on your statement "Everyone knows we will die so I do not think it is the fact of dying that will scare us but the fact of not existing at all". I believe this really is what gets to people. Thinking of death the other way around, basically Epicurus's thesis, does take a certain mindset to be in, which I do believe and agree on with you, that not many people could be able to do. I feel as if his argument seems to be agreed on within a crowd who is more open minded with philosophical thinking.

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  2. SnowdenMarch 24, 2019 at 6:35 PM

    I agree with your viewpoint on the matter regarding most people fearing death, but I also see the rationality behind Epicurus' reasoning. You said in your post that in order to subscribe to Epicurus' way of thinking that one must first subscribe to the idea that we do not survive our deaths. So, going off the idea that we do not survive our death's, why would it not bring comfort to someone who believes this idea to not fear death? If we truly didn't feel pain or have any sense of consciousness when we died, then what would be the point of worrying about death? Wouldn't death technically be the end of suffering a life of pain?

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