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Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

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Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#21

Post by keiferski »

Iv wrote: post #16
keiferski wrote: post #6

Eh, as someone with a degree in philosophy, it’s this sort of overanalysis that has led to the field’s sidelining. The so-called folk wisdom stated by the dying might not be logically rigorous, but it’s a perspective that we would do well to remember. Being trite or simple doesn’t make something wrong. My own personal theory is that the deathbed perspective is quite similar to the childhood one: without the constrain…

Deathbeds are where people have maximum experience and low incentive to lie. Nothing magical. Louis XIV saying "I loved war too much" on his deathbed gives a perspective to his life achievements.

There is plenty of incentive to lie on your deathbed. A lot of people spend their entire lives worrying about how they’ll be remembered.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#22

Post by ampdepolymerase »

nyokodo wrote: post #19
ampdepolymerase wrote: post #2

As usual, immortality is the solution.

> As usual, immortality is the solution. I’m not sure if you’re joking or not but many people are not when they say this. Immortality is impossible in this universe given known physics. The use of the word is at best equivocation and a rather desperate self-delusion. Even if we ignore physics the probability of dying by murder or suicide trend towards 1. All of us are contingent and will eventually face our death.

Nothing in physics says it is impossible. The current theory in thermodynamics is that the general arrow of entropy applied to biology is decreasing internal entropy (of the cell or lifeform) at the expense of higher external entropy.

Are you prepared to bet on this?

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#24

Post by RHSman2 »

nyokodo wrote: post #19
ampdepolymerase wrote: post #2

As usual, immortality is the solution.

> As usual, immortality is the solution. I’m not sure if you’re joking or not but many people are not when they say this. Immortality is impossible in this universe given known physics. The use of the word is at best equivocation and a rather desperate self-delusion. Even if we ignore physics the probability of dying by murder or suicide trend towards 1. All of us are contingent and will eventually face our death.

I think its a joke mate ;)

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#25

Post by JoeAltmaier »

Iv wrote: post #16
keiferski wrote: post #6

Eh, as someone with a degree in philosophy, it’s this sort of overanalysis that has led to the field’s sidelining. The so-called folk wisdom stated by the dying might not be logically rigorous, but it’s a perspective that we would do well to remember. Being trite or simple doesn’t make something wrong. My own personal theory is that the deathbed perspective is quite similar to the childhood one: without the constrain…

Deathbeds are where people have maximum experience and low incentive to lie. Nothing magical. Louis XIV saying "I loved war too much" on his deathbed gives a perspective to his life achievements.

People lie. On their deathbeds with the sense of impending finality they will do their damndest to come up with anything at all to feel better. Lie to God (I'll convert! I'll be a better person!), lie to their spouse (I was always faithful, and always loved you!), lie to themselves (It's not that bad! I'll live.)

Pack any situation with emotion and adrenaline, you'll get world-class mental gymnastics. Look at the exceptional efforts even animals put out when mortally threatened. The burst of energy and struggle seems like it would be epic. Including struggling with the truth.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#27

Post by harperlee »

pomian wrote: post #23

The most poignant last words I heard from someone about to die, and did 2 hours later: "I don't want to die." Gives one a lot to think about.

We are bombarded from fiction with the trope of someone making peace before dying. The fear my mother had just before dying from cancer, that I’ll never forget. It gives me shivers and anxiety more than a decade afterwards.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#28

Post by [deleted] »

RHSman2 wrote: post #24
nyokodo wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As usual, immortality is the solution. I’m not sure if you’re joking or not but many people are not when they say this. Immortality is impossible in this universe given known physics. The use of the word is at best equivocation and a rather desperate self-delusion. Even if we ignore physics the probability of dying by murder or suicide trend towards 1. All of us are contingent and will eventually face our death.

I think its a joke mate ;)

[deleted]

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#30

Post by cutthegrass2 »

optimalsolver wrote: post #5

It shouldn't be overlooked that we tend to romanticize the dying process, probably for our own mental health. Your last words likely won't be wise, witty, or even coherent. A good account from a medical professional on what the end stage of life actually looks like can be found here: https://slatestarcodex.com/2013/07/17/who-by-very-slow-decay... I was particularly struck by the following comment from one of the read…

We allow termination at the start of a life, so strange that it is not allowed at the end of a life.

I agree with the pasted comment, we need to make strides in allowing the right to die.

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