SSWI-237T Death & Dying

3 Credits

The question of death has always haunted philosophical contemplation, artistic production, political authority and investigations of the psyche. Any contemplation of existence and meaning must in some way concern itself with the problem of finitude. This class will follow a broad ranging exploration into the phenomenon of death and dying as it is grasped in various culture and communities. Whereas historically theology attempts to provide answers to the question of death, philosophy, art and other responses to death have sought to raise questions. We will approach the topic through philosophy, literature, politics and psychoanalysis, covering a broad range of topics including: fear; knowledge and death; mourning and loss; existence, meaning and the horizon of death and extinction.