Anyone have fear of death?

MarkD

MarkD

Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
I would have said no but then I read this blog which includes a link to a video of a 97 year old philosopher who had written a book about how fear of death is irrational. He has changed his mind. I suspect as we get closer to the limit that may be common. I think I’ll stop being cavalier about it until I get there.

Death – Jenny Connected
 

Rational or irrational I do not fear my eventual demise. I expect to die peacefully in a bed.

Every time I travel by plane I centre myself before takeoff, giving thanks for the life I have had so far, and turning my fate over to God. I then turn my attention to the wonder and exhilaration of the flight experience.

I have always loved Shakespeare's words in his play 'Julius Caesar' -

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
the valiant never taste of death but once".
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come".
 
Warrigal said:
Rational or irrational I do not fear my eventual demise. I expect to die peacefully in a bed.

Every time I travel by plane I centre myself before takeoff, giving thanks for the life I have had so far, and turning my fate over to God. I then turn my attention to the wonder and exhilaration of the flight experience.

I have always loved Shakespeare's words in his play 'Julius Caesar' -

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
the valiant never taste of death but once".
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come".
Click to expand...
Like you i do not invest much time worrying or having anxiety about my death, tho peacefully in my sleep would be nice for a change.
 
Warrigal said:
Rational or irrational I do not fear my eventual demise. I expect to die peacefully in a bed.

Every time I travel by plane I centre myself before takeoff, giving thanks for the life I have had so far, and turning my fate over to God. I then turn my attention to the wonder and exhilaration of the flight experience.

I have always loved Shakespeare's words in his play 'Julius Caesar' -

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
the valiant never taste of death but once".
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come".
Click to expand...

That's the point: that it doesn't matter in the least if it's irrational - unless it stops you from living your best life. Death is part of the life process. Don't think we get to choose which parts we have and which we'll skip. If it's on my plate, I'll finish it.
 
I watched as much of the video as I could emotionally handle, then skipped to the last five minutes to see how it ended, and I read all of the printed summary.

Found within the text: "It’s not surprising that so near the end of his life he is still asking ‘What is the point of it all?’ This is the preoccupation of many philosophers." If others haven't found the answer, then there's no need for me to make myself unhappy looking for it. Doing so only robs me of whatever joy there may be in the present time.
 
officerripley said:
I don't fear being dead but do fear dying a painful death. I'd love to die peacefully in a bed but there's no way to guarantee that.
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Yep, reminds of what Woodly Allen said about it. He is fine with it but doesn't want to be there when it happens. On that score, assuming I'm not in unbearable pain, I'd like the front seat in the rollercoaster for the best view. (I reserve the right to change my mind if I ever see 97.).

I'm going to rewatch the video later today with Lia but think he also talks about how much he hates needing so much of his business handled for him like a baby. I wouldn't like it either.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I watched as much of the video as I could emotionally handle, then skipped to the last five minutes to see how it ended, and I read all of the printed summary.

Found within the text: "It’s not surprising that so near the end of his life he is still asking ‘What is the point of it all?’ This is the preoccupation of many philosophers." If others haven't found the answer, then there's no need for me to make myself unhappy looking for it. Doing so only robs me of whatever joy there may be in the present time.
Click to expand...

Did you catch that he now considers the question of what the point of life is to be pointless?
 
I haven't had the chance to watch the video, but in answer to the question, I would say that I don't fear it. What I do fear is what I leave behind and others having to take care of things. I'm trying to declutter and organize things. Might have to downsize one day and simplify my life. But not ready.
 
Warrigal said:
Rational or irrational I do not fear my eventual demise. I expect to die peacefully in a bed.

Every time I travel by plane I centre myself before takeoff, giving thanks for the life I have had so far, and turning my fate over to God. I then turn my attention to the wonder and exhilaration of the flight experience.

I have always loved Shakespeare's words in his play 'Julius Caesar' -

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
the valiant never taste of death but once".
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come".
Click to expand...
Every landing is a Controlled crash, good luck!
I was a passenger on a one prop small aircraft on a bad weather day.
The Pilot was a B17 pilot of WW2. Co-pilot his son also accomplished.
They had a 3 aircraft home farm landing strip / N. & S. wind from the East that afternoon.

We had practiced a flight to bear hunt in Canada. I never went with them. Or fished too up there.
Saw where a small aircraft had crashed on takeoff.

That aircraft wondered a mile thru the air sideways and landed cross wind that day.
I swear it turned right 90 degrees immediately when it touched down.
I never fly again. Lol. ... :coffee: ...

I think they got out a kick of me flying along with them though! I didn't get sick. should of.
 
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MACKTEXAS said:
Yes I did. Do you agree with him on that?
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Yes and no. Yes because I suspect we are part of something much greater that matters more than what sets me apart. But no because we no more choose what will matter to us than decide which foods we’ll prefer in advance of trying them. These are things that get discovered, not chosen IMO.
 
MarkD said:
Yes and no. Yes because I suspect we are part of something much greater that matters more than what sets me apart. But no because we no more choose what will matter to us than decide which foods we’ll prefer in advance of trying them. These are things that get discovered, not chosen IMO.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I agree and understand what you're saying.
Does what we do really matter? That's demonstrated very well in the James Stewart movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," which most of us are familiar with.
 
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