I will look out for the book. Various angles have been argued with the thread and I don't think any definite conclusions were reached. That is my reading of the thread though, and the ndividuals who wrote on it may have come to their own answers. But, I agree with you that, 'Life is consciousness' and should be the main focus. I remain curious about what could be on the other side, but I certainly don't wish ideas about death to overtake concern for this one, and to end up living merely in the gothic shadows of death, which will come to every living being eventually.tjjt1936 wrote: ↑April 6th, 2022, 6:03 pm Most of the issues you have raised can be answered by reading a small book by Martin Foss. “Death,Sacrifice and Tragedy.” Cartesian rationalism and phenomenology are a dead end if that is the approach one takes in pursuing the problem of death from any perspective. Life is consciousness and it is what need to focus on.
The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
- JackDaydream
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
Yes, the concept of 'other side' is questionable. I guess that I borrowed it from various perspectives, including the track by The Doors, ' Break On Through to the Other Side'. It does imply a division, of another reality distinct from this one. It may be too compartmentalised although I am inclined to think in terms of dimensions. However, it is likely that consciousness is fluid and that trying to thi about dimensions is about the human attempt to try to explain logically that which is beyond logic. I am not sure if this about multidimensional or the multiverse, and to what extent such ideas may be helpful in trying to fathom consciousness and the distinction between life and dying.tjjt1936 wrote: ↑April 7th, 2022, 4:23 pm I wish I could elaborate on the Foss book, but there is no way to begin since the book is full of information I believe would help you. One point I could mention is it not correct to speak in terms of the other side. That is rationalism. Rather think of the beyond of time and space and the process of cocsciousnee in a direction towards an unknown future. But the future here is not the future as a phase of time but of power. Reason belongs to a sphere of limits and ends, fintude. The beyond is the infinite. Foss wrote another book, “The Idea of Perfection in the Western World,” This is another small book which addresses how philosophers discovered the idea of the unlimited being surpassed by a creative process transcending but rationalism. The infinite beyond. Heaven or the other side is Mythology or again, rationalism. The process of consciousness is a motion which is closed to thought which can only deal with division.
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
- JackDaydream
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
If death involves going beyond concepts and abstraction would that involve going beyond language. Prior to birth it is unlikely that the baby consciousness has gathered language, unless in some subliminal way. Could it be, as the Hindus speak like the merging of Brahman with Atman, of fading into God-consciousness, whatever that may entail?tjjt1936 wrote: ↑April 9th, 2022, 5:02 pm I would like to steer you on a different course if I may? Death is not the opposite of life. Opposites like dimensions belong to the reason and abstraction. Today under the influence of science thinkers confuse reason with life. Death is the opposite of birth and both concepts are concerned with finite living organisms. We can discuss the idea of death rationally and understand it, but life cannot be understood rationaly. It is an undivided process moving towards Existence, an unknowable reality closed to thought. Aristotle discovered this drive which he named the potential, a dynamic drive. Today we call it a non-reflective consciousnessness. Unlike the static being of the Greek, it is a process of becoming. A book could be written to discuss this daring idea and many have done so. My point is here is where the direction I believe would lead to answers to your questions. Finally, the process does not end
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Re: The 'Problem' of Mortality: Is Death the End of Everything?
2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
2023 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023