Abstract
Since the culture surrounding death in the West is shrouded in fear and anxiety, it is necessary to illuminate the realities of living and what we presume to be its antithesis, death, with notions outside of our normative thinking. This paper works to reframe the subject of death when one is considering: 1) the death of a loved one, 2) one’s own death, and 3) the option of self-immolation. I believe an understanding of Dao supplies one with the peace necessary to celebrate death as one might celebrate living. I argue that seeing and living in accord with the virtues of Daoism engenders acceptance of realities beyond our control, which could result in the prevention of severe existential dread and overwhelming suicidal ideation.
Recommended Citation
Pyles, Katelyn
(2019)
"Confrontations with Death: A Zhuangzian Approach to Mortality*,"
Acta Cogitata: An Undergraduate Journal in Philosophy: Vol. 6, Article 6.
Available at:
https://commons.emich.edu/ac/vol6/iss1/6