A Psychological and Philosophical Understanding of Death: An Analysis of Platonic and Epicurean Philosophy in Modern America

Authors

Alexina Hupp, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OHFollow

Document Type

Capstone/Thesis

Faculty Advisor

Thesis Director: Dr. Timothy Quinn; Thesis Reader: Dr. Eleni Tsalla; Thesis Reader: Dr. Christian End; HAB Course Director: Dr. Thomas Strunk

Date

2017-3

Abstract

The following research intends to discuss various issues surrounding death, first, by examining the study of death through the history of psychology, then through two separate philosophical accounts from Plato and Epicurus. Plato and Epicurus offer a conversation about the universality of death and how death ought to be considered and conceived by a society. This conversation between differing views suggests two varying ideas about how to cope with death; one offers a spiritual approach, wherein the soul is immortal and the other offers a scientific approach that death represents the end of all life, with absolutely no hope of immortality. As a society, America tends to subscribe to the former rather than the latter because of our inability to come to terms with the human condition. However, certain people are able to rise above the human condition and ascribe to the latter rather than the former. This paper will conclude by discussing case examples of the necessity for, and the complications arising from religion as a way to cope with death and the seeming inability of some to overcome the human condition and accept death.

Recommended Citation

Hupp, Alexina, "A Psychological and Philosophical Understanding of Death: An Analysis of Platonic and Epicurean Philosophy in Modern America" (2017). Honors Bachelor of Arts. 32.
https://www.exhibit.xavier.edu/hab/32

Creative Commons License

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