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The Philosophy of Death is a discussion of the basic philosophical issues concerning death, and a critical introduction to the relevant contemporary philosophical literature. Luper begins by addressing questions about those who die: What is it to be alive? What does it mean for you and me to exist? Under what conditions do we persist over time, and when do we perish? Next, he considers several questions concerning death, including: What does dying consist in; in particular, how does it differ from ageing? Must death be permanent? By what signs may it be identified? Is death bad for the one who dies? If so why? Finally he discusses whether, and why, killing is morally objectionable, and suggests that it is often permissible; in particular, (assisted) suicide, euthanasia and abortion may all be morally permissible. His book is a lively and engaging philosophical treatment of a perennially fascinating and relevant subject.

Philosophical anthropology --- General ethics --- Death. --- Death --- Dying --- End of life --- Life --- Terminal care --- Terminally ill --- Thanatology --- Moral and ethical aspects. --- Philosophy --- Arts and Humanities

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The first-ever critical anthology of the death arts in Renaissance England, this book draws together over 60 extracts and 20 illustrations to establish and analyse how people grappled with mortality in the 16th and 17th centuries. As well as providing a comprehensive resource of annotated and modernized excerpts, this engaging study includes commentary on authors and overall texts, discussions of how each excerpt is constitutive and expressive of the death arts, and suggestions for further reading. The extended Introduction takes into account death's intersections with print, gender, sex, and race, surveying the period's far-reaching preoccupation with, and anticipatory reflection upon, the cessation of life. For researchers, instructors, and students interested in medieval and early modern history and literature, the Reformation, memory studies, book history, and print culture, this indispensable resource provides at once an entry point into the field of early modern death studies and a springboard for further research.

Death --- Funeral rites and ceremonies --- Death in literature. --- English literature --- History --- History and criticism. --- Funerals --- Mortuary ceremonies --- Obsequies --- Manners and customs --- Rites and ceremonies --- Burial --- Cremation --- Cryomation --- Dead --- Mourning customs --- Dying --- End of life --- Life --- Terminal care --- Terminally ill --- Thanatology --- Philosophy --- Thematology

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It is a classical anthropological paradox that symbols of rebirth and fertility are frequently found in funerary rituals throughout the world. The original essays collected here re-examine this phenomenon through insights from China, India, New Guinea, Latin America, and Africa. The contributors, each a specialist in one of these areas, have worked in close collaboration to produce a genuinely innovative theoretical approach to the study of the symbolism surrounding death, an outline of which is provided in an important introduction by the editors. The major concern of the volume is the way in which funerary rituals dramatically transform the image of life as a dialectic flux involving exchange and transaction, marriage and procreation, into an image of a still, transcendental order in which oppositions such as those between self and other, wife-giver and wife-taker, Brahmin and untouchable, birth and therefore death have been abolished. This transformation often involves a general devaluation of biology, and, particularly, of sexuality, which is contrasted with a more spiritual and controlled source of life. The role of women, who are frequently associated with biological processes, mourning and death pollution, is often predominant in funerary rituals, and in examining this book makes a further contribution to the understanding of the symbolism of gender. The death rituals and the symbolism of rebirth are also analysed in the context of the political processes of the different societies considered, and it is argued that social order and political organisation may be legitimated through an exploitation of the emotions and biology.

Funeral rites and ceremonies --- Death --- Religion --- Fertility cults --- Funérailles --- Mort --- Fécondité --- Rites et cérémonies. --- Cultes --- Funeral rites and ceremonies. --- Death. --- Religion. --- Fertility cults. --- 291.23 --- Religion, Primitive --- Atheism --- God --- Irreligion --- Religions --- Theology --- Funerals --- Mortuary ceremonies --- Obsequies --- Manners and customs --- Rites and ceremonies --- Burial --- Cremation --- Dead --- Mourning customs --- Cults, Fertility --- Cults --- Dying --- End of life --- Life --- Terminal care --- Terminally ill --- Thanatology --- 291.23 Godsdienstwetenschap: eschatologische doctrines; leven na de dood --- 291.23 Godsdienstwetenschap: opstanding; reïncarnatie; metamorfose; zielsverhuizing; paradijs; hel; vagevuur --- Godsdienstwetenschap: eschatologische doctrines; leven na de dood --- Godsdienstwetenschap: opstanding; reïncarnatie; metamorfose; zielsverhuizing; paradijs; hel; vagevuur --- Philosophy --- Philosophical anthropology --- Physiology: reproduction & development. Ages of life --- Cryomation --- Social Sciences --- Anthropology --- Ritus i cerimònies fúnebres --- Religió --- Fecunditat