Can Death Be a Harm to the Person Who Dies?

J. Li

Can Death Be a Harm to the Person Who Dies?
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Country
United States
Published
30 April 2002
Pages
198
ISBN
9781402005053

Can Death Be a Harm to the Person Who Dies?

J. Li

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

This study addresses the issues surrounding the problem of whether death can be a harm to the person who dies. This problem is an ancient one which was raised long ago by the early Greek philosopher Epicurus, who notoriously argued that death is at no time a harm to its victim because before death there is no harm and after death there is no victim. Epicurus’ conclusion is conspicuously at odds with our pre-reflective - and in most cases our post-reflective - intuitions, and numerous strategies have therefore been proposed to refute or avoid it. How then are we to account for our intuition that death is not just an evil, but perhaps the worst evil that may befall us? This is the key issue that the author addresses. This book explores various alternative approaches to the puzzling issues surrounding Epicurus’ notorious argument and provides a defence of the intuitively plausible conclusion that death can indeed be a harm to the person who dies. This challenge to Epicurus’ argument is developed by way of a detailed exploration of the issues raised not only by Epicurus, but also by his many successors, who have responded variously to the challenging issues which Epicurus raised.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in 7-14 days

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.