Psychology of Death and Dying

Book excerpt: Sooner or later each one of us faces death, our own or others we care about. And yet, few take time beforehand to think about these endings, and in the process may lose the wisdom of the ages that comes after facing death. Perhaps this explains why when Plato was asked to summarize his philosophy he reportedly said: Practice dying. He understood that dying is what each one of us does throughout our lives, whether it is leaving home the first time to go to school or departing from this planet when our lives end. If we learn how to die--to let go and get our egos out of the way--we will have gained wisdom about how best to live. This brief yet comprehensive book deals not only with the philosophical and psychological meaning of death but its practical implications for our lives. Written by two brothers who have taught philosophy, ethics, psychology, and religion at community colleges and four-year private colleges, this book can be used in many learning situations, whether part of courses in philosophy, ethics, psychology, or counseling; or for short-term workshops or continuing education courses for students in human services, health care, social work, or any of the helping professions.