If death is the cessation of life, then, as a concept, it draws its meaning from the preceding life. While death and dying are inextricably connected, dying is still a part of life-unlike death. The Meaning of Death: A Philosophical Investigation analyzes death and dying, the biotechnical quest for immortality, the afterlife, and the rationality of self-chosen death. Assuming eternal life will one day become possible, Kai Horsthemke argues that immortality is not obviously desirable, and that. even if the right to life in principle includes the right to eternal life, it must also include the right to self-determined dying and death. Although there is no creationist basis for existence and the finality of death remains a universal, inevitable prospect, this need not undermine confidence in the personal and transpersonal value of human activities. Life is valuable not only because of its uniqueness and unrepeatability, but also because it is finite. The meaning of death is essentially that it gives meaning to life.
Kai Horsthemke is visiting professor in the School of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and at KU Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Germany.
Acknowledgements Introduction Meaning Versus Definition The Struggle Against Death The Yearning for Immortality Freitod - The Morality of Self-Determined Death The Moral Implications of Finite Existence The Value and Meaning of Death References Index About the Author
"The Meaning of Death: A Philosophical Investigation is beautifully written and provides a comprehensive philosophical analysis of death and its meaning in human life. A must-read for everyone interested in the philosophy of death and dying." -- Johannes Drerup, Free University of Amsterdam/ TU Dortmund "With life, comes death - a reality that every living being must ultimately face. Horsthemke's timely book, The Meaning of Death: A Philosophical Investigation, provides a thoughtful and accessible exploration of this universal human experience. The writing is both rigorous and engaging, as Horsthemke carefully examines the topic of death from a variety of philosophical angles. Drawing on the wisdom of ancient Greek thinkers as well as contemporary philosophers, the book guides readers through complex questions surrounding human mortality, animal death, good deaths, bad deaths, life after death, self-determined deaths, and more. In a world where death is often avoided or denied, this book offers readers the opportunity to confront this inevitable reality with the care and nuance it deserves. Whether you are a philosopher or simply someone seeking to better understand the human condition, I highly recommend The Meaning of Death as an essential read." -- Yolandi M. Coetser, North-West University "The Meaning of Death is a thoughtful mix of personal reflection, philosophical argument, and intellectual history. It takes up many of the classic questions, regarding what death is, when it is bad, whether it should be feared, whether immortality is possible and desirable, and how death bears on life's meaning. Horsthemke answers with a secular framework that is optimistic about life's being meaningful despite the fact-and indeed because! -it will end. The text is admirably clear and free of jargon, and so will be of interest to both the lay person and scholar." -- Thaddeus Metz, University of Pretoria, Professor of Philosophy (Research Focus), University of Pretoria
