A Philosophical Discourse on Death as a Relief from the Problems of Life

Abstract

This study is a philosophical thinking about the relevance of life and death and about the relevance of death to life. It begins with a discussion of the concept of death and the beliefs, attitudes and dispositions which people have about it. It examined why people consider death as horror and argues that it is the horrorful conceptions that partly make people fear death. Thereafter, it presents the attempts made by some thinkers to relieve people from this fear. It presents some views which consider death as gain and as a prelude to a better life. This study also inquires critically whether death is a panacea to the problems of life, imbues meaning on life or removes meaning from it. It concludes that based on what is evident before us in the present state of existence, life does not appear affable; but this does not imply that death is a panacea to it.

Keywords: Fear of death, Nature of life, The human condition, Relevance of death, Life after death.