Comment by franksvalli on 18/01/2020 at 15:03 UTC*

169 upvotes, 2 direct replies (showing 2)

View submission: A 97-Year-Old Philosopher Faces His Own Death (Herbert Fingarette, 1921-2018)

Abstract:

97-year-old philosopher Herbert Fingarette (1921-2018) once argued that death is nothing to be afraid of, but as he grew older he reconsidered that approach.

"Death is a frightening thought. It's something I don't want to happen".

He lived a happy life, but as his wife died several years back, in a way he now finds half of himself missing. Her absence is a sort of presence weighing on his thoughts. He now asks himself often "what's the point?". "I think the answer - the silent answer - may be: there is no point; it's a foolish question."

"I've written books on a number of other topics. And in each case I felt that I had solved the problem. But this is not resolvable. It's not just a theoretical question for me, which so many things can be. It's one thing that is central in my existence that I have tried to come to terms with, and have failed."

Comment by franksvalli on 18/01/2020 at 15:03 UTC*

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