Facing Our Mortality Without Fear: Advice from the Great Philosophers e-bog

The fear of our mortality is a common and natural fear among humans. There is a proud tradition in philosophy of being able to offer consolation and comfort for the trials and tribulations of life, including the greatest and final trial - death. Socrates said that whether death is extinction or the persistence of the soul in an afterlife, it is nothng to fear. The first half of the book"e; Montaigne on the Fear of Death"e; shows how we can overcome our fear even if death is extinction, and the second half, "e;A Philosopher's View of Heaven"e; presents a positive portrayal of "e;heaven"e; based on reason rather than revelation, and one which helps to make sense of our earthly life.