PHIL 250A ST: Philosophy of Death and Dying
This course is a study of philosophical issues surrounding death and dying. Topics covered may include: Is death bad for the person who dies? What attitudes should we have towards death and dying? Is it rational to fear death? Would extended life or immortality be a good thing? Does death give meaning to life or does it make life less meaningful? Is it ever rational or ethical to commit suicide? Is it reasonable to believe that we will continue to exist after we die, in some form of afterlife? Our study of these issues will involve critical examination of the arguments for and against a variety of philosophical positions.