Death: Philosophical Soundings

by Herbert Fingarette

No one who reads this book will ever again think of their own death in the same way.

Fingarette faces up to the reality of death and demolishes some popular errors in our thinking about death. He examines the metaphors which mislead death as parting, death as sleep, immortality as the denial of death, and selflessness as a kind of consolation.

He thinks through some of the more illuminating death as the end of the world for me, death as the conclusion of a story, life as ceremony, and life as a tourist visit to earth. Fingarette goes on to discuss living a future without end and living a present without bounds. The author offers no facile consolation, but he identifies the true root of fear of death, and explains how the meaning of death can be reconceived.

"All of Herbert Fingarette's books are enormously personal voyages that explore with philosophical honesty real life self-deception, cultural alterity, the role of ritual, the achievement of personhood, justifications for alcoholism, and now death. One of Fingarette's most important career accomplishments". -- Roger T. Ames Philosophy East & West

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Death

175 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Herbert Fingarette was an American philosopher and emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He received his PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles under the direction of Donald Piatt.

Fingarette's work deals with issues in philosophy of mind, psychology, ethics, law, and Chinese philosophy.

Reviews

[Amy Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting personal account and broadly sweeping philosophical survey on the theme of death. It brought up more questions than it did give answers, but that is because there are no answers, only thoughts.

[Riley Lamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best philosophy books I've read. Though I've mostly read the stoics. I was inspired to read this book after watching a YouTube video about his life and I'm glad I listen to my gut, this was an excellent book to read. It brought forth new ideas and concepts in regards to accepting our death and how to comprehend other cultures, beliefs surrounding death. The way it is written is extremely scholarly and he will acknowledge when his own interpersonal conflicts arise or when he has bias surrounding an aspect of death. His candor is greatly appreciated. I highly suggest grabbing this book, as it is a quick and simple read and may give you a little bit of reprieve from anxiety surrounding death. RIP Herbert Fingarette.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating contemplations. Good introduction for dialogue with my contemporaries

[Hendrik Van Simaeys · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤯🤯🤯

[Mimo]

a rigirous and lucid discussion of death. his visions are penetrating and well-brought by an engaging personal style which, without being flowery, depicts metaphors and analogies in a simple but eye-opening way. his reflections are accompanied by twelve studies from famous philosophers and his belongs among them.