Death - Video

by Shelly Kagan
82
Philosophy #235

(PHIL 176) There is one thing I can be sure of: I am going to die. But what am I to make of that fact? This course will examine a number of issues that arise once we begin to reflect on our mortality. The possibility that death may not actually be the end is considered. Are we, in some sense, immortal? Would immortality be desirable? Also a clearer notion of what it is to die is examined. What does it mean to say that a person has died? What kind of fact is that? And, finally, different attitudes to death are evaluated. Is death an evil? How? Why? Is suicide morally permissible? Is it rational? How should the knowledge that I am going to die affect the way I live my life?

This class was recorded in Spring 2007.

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Recent Reviews
  • August Consumer
    Find a different professor
    The professor giving the lecture on Plato and the soul wasted the time of his students and at their great expense.
  • Jimper66
    Privileged
    Wow does this man like to grace his reasoning across a stage assuming you’re still listening. He is obviously manically delighted by his own thoughts, the kind of man who could exist alone in a room as long as he could hear his own voice. He’s exhausting. What’s worse is he thinks he’s being profound. And you may foolishly mistake his energy for an academic fervor towards the gems of truth. When his conclusions arrive, however, you’re left holding a pebble. I’d just stick it in your ear to mute this inflated little man.
  • Julien Dupin
    A Real Eye-Opener
    An incredible class that truly pushes oneself to approach the nature of death and the meaning that life can have in not just a different perspective but also in the perspectives of many others before us and with us. This class also helped me in a difficult time and I am really glad to have taken it in its entirety. I definitely recommend this class to anyone brave enough to revolutionize their thinking on the matter and come to cherish their existence.
  • seacidal
    Wonderful and thorough!
    An impressive presentation of the issues surrounding rational suicide, and a very thorough discussion of dear relevant factors in coming to such a decision. The professor provides a very approachable and easily understandable presentation.
  • PureShade
    Rational thinking
    I was coping with the dying of my mom when I stumpled upon this course. It gave me a lot inspiration in the acceptance of death, not just that of those we love but also that of ourselves.
  • lg.5
    great class!
    Awesome!
  • Mogeee
    Thank you
    What a refreshing treat.
  • Metumtam
    Shallow
    The delivery is problematic. Shelly repeats himself constantly and he is not a pleasure to watch. His approach is simplistic and shallow
  • 9988541
    oooooo
    she is great
  • ayedoubleyou
    A pleasure
    If you are interested in the subject matter, you will enjoy this
  • Vawww3333
    Brilliant
    Kagan is a pleasure to listen to, interesting, and able to convey complex ideas at a pace that seems perfectly right. If you miss any ideas you can always replay them as well. The sound quality is excellent. The video is not really necessary but is not distracting. I'd highly recommend this course. It's a gift that such compelling material is free.
  • Catfishe Haggot
    Awesome
    Shelly is fantastic and enlightening. I enjoyed every lecture. I completed the course with new ideas and new understandings. It was very rewarding. It's a treasure that this information is here for free. Thank you!
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