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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?

#151

Post by mongo_lover »

scotty79 wrote: post #113
mongo_lover wrote: post #73

As someone that has had one or two "deathbed" experiences, I can say two things struck me about them 1) I felt complete peace about dying. In fact, I had to reason myself towards wanting to live 2) I felt a level of clarity about what was important to me that I have never felt before (or since). I struggle to incorporate that into my life on an ongoing basis. I think these experiences were a terrible gift. I would wi…

When I wonder about my own death I'm always unsure whether I'll be afraid and sad about the fact that I won't see the future or just be so tired with how I feel that I'll just want to be done with it as soon as possible.

The more imminent death seemed, none of that really came to mind. I only felt fear when death was a possibility but when it seemed death was certain, that fear went away. It was strange.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#152

Post by mongo_lover »

unphased wrote: post #106
mongo_lover wrote: post #73

As someone that has had one or two "deathbed" experiences, I can say two things struck me about them 1) I felt complete peace about dying. In fact, I had to reason myself towards wanting to live 2) I felt a level of clarity about what was important to me that I have never felt before (or since). I struggle to incorporate that into my life on an ongoing basis. I think these experiences were a terrible gift. I would wi…

Thanks for sharing a piece of how it felt. I'm curious what the circumstances around that were, if you don't mind.

I had(!) an incurable type of cancer. There were complications during chemo.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#153

Post by martyrs »

qntmfred wrote: post #66
martyrs wrote: post #62

Those interested in the subject might find the movie Martyrs interesting. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029234/

I gotta say I love that you made an account just to post this obscure film

You gotta do what you gotta do.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#154

Post by AlwaysRock »

Maximus9000 wrote: post #107
AlwaysRock wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That seems like valuable perspective. You are not one who likes to be alone with their thoughts too much. What's the version of quit and go backpacking for someone like you? My brother did the same thing and like you did not enjoy it. He thought it was too boring without another person. I havnt dont it but I'm very comfortable with really limited social contact and live in my own thoughts. If I had two good knees I'd…

Agreed. I've travelled a lot with my wife (We've been to 24 countries). I enjoy travelling with someone. A few times, I travelled alone... it's kind of boring alone. There are lots of people who say positive words about travelling alone like "empowering", "liberating"... but I didn't find that at all.

I'm equally as content during my travels if I'm alone or with another person but I do find that going with someone else tends to create stronger memories.

I went to Europe with my father and brother and remember those trips much more than ones I've taken on my own.

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#155

Post by JoeAltmaier »

hc-taway wrote: post #72
jolux wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does the intent really matter?

> Well said, Cephalus, I replied; but as concerning justice, what is it? --to speak the truth and to pay your debts --no more than this? And even to this are there not exceptions? Suppose that a friend when in his right mind has deposited arms with me and he asks for them when he is not in his right mind, ought I to give them back to him? No one would say that I ought or that I should be right in doing so, any more t…

Nice example, I remember that from Ethics back in college. But there's lots of Greeks that would say Yes! Give them their weapons.

See, you have no right to decide another's state of mind is 'not right'. That's taking their agency from them, treating them like an incompetent child. Like trying to 'murder their Self' or some such.

You can say for instance "I know where they are but you're upset. Can we talk about this before you do something you'll regret?"

Re: Why is the deathbed perspective considered so valuable?

#156

Post by grok22 »

taxicabjesus wrote: post #121
grok22 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is your perspective more correct that the perspective of the person who doesn't want to die? I think we all know that people are of various natures and think in a myriad number of ways and refuse to accept that mostly so that society remains stable. But I feel that assuming this perspective is better than the other one (about not wanting to die) in this respect (for this particular thing about wanting to live or…

The point is that death is inevitable. You can either accept the inevitable or fight it, you get to the same place regardless. One of the recurring characters on Star Trek were the omniscient immortal Q. One of the recurring subplots was of the Q getting bored of being immortal. "For us, the disease is immortality." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqvxufh6ZDo It's one thing to have purpose, or meaningful things to do…

Today I came again across this poem ("Do not go gentle into that good night", by Dylan Thomas) that is relevant here -- it gives you a sense of the perspective of the opposite side from yours: https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night
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