Giving an introduction to philosophical thanatology, this work challenges the reader to develop a disciplined and focused awareness of his/her own mortality, and to grapple with the implications. It also explores issues in philosophy, ethics, developmental psychology, psychoanalytic psychology, idealistic humanism, sociology, and other humanities.

Introduction PART I: POSING QUESTIONSWhat Should We Expect From Philosophy? Jeanne Quint Benoliel Dying and Death Late in the Twentieth Century David J. Roy PART II: PERSPECTIVES IN PHILOSOPHICAL THANATOLOGYImmortality John D. Morgan The Idea of "The Glorious Dead": The Conversion of a Uniquely Personal Experience Bill Warren Suffering and Death: External Questions in a New Context Kjell Kallenberg Meaning and the Awareness of Death Galen K. Pletcher Blinkings: A Thanatocentric Theory of Consciousness Jeffrey Kauffman Personal Identity and Death ConcernâEUR"Philosophical and Developmental Perspectives Adrian Tomer PART III: HUMANISTIC REFLECTIONS ON MORTALITY AWARENESSThe Awareness of Mortality in Midlife: Implications for Later Life Kenneth J. Doka Intimations of Mortality from Recollections of Early Childhood: Death Awareness, Knowledge, and the Unconscious Victor L. Schermer Children, Death, and Fairy Tales Elizabeth P. Lamers Saying Good-Bye to Tomorrow Inge Corless Horrendous Death: Linking Thanatology and Public Health Dan Leviton Death and Beyond: A Hindu's Perspective Aruna Mathur Contributors Index