What is death? Do people survive death? What do we mean when we say that someone is "dying"? Presenting a clear and engaging discussion of the classic philosophical questions surrounding death, this book studies the great metaphysical and moral problems of death. In the first part, Feldman shows that a definition of life is necessary before death can be defined. After exploring several of the most plausible accounts of the nature of life and demonstrating their failure, he goes on to propose his own conceptual scheme for death and related concepts. In the second part, Feldman turns to ethical and value-theoretical questions about death. Addressing the ancient Epicurean ethical problem about the evil of death, he argues that death can be a great evil for those who die, even if they do not exist after death, because it may deprive them of the goods they would have enjoyed if they had continued to live. Confrontations with the Reaper concludes with a novel consequentialist theory about the morality of killing, applying it to such thorny practical issues as abortion, suicide, and euthanasia.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Lucid, sensible, and insightful throughout. The criticisms of alternative approaches are particularly penetrating, and the positive suggestions are thoughtful....I have considerable admiration for this fine book. Feldman talks sense about difficult, murky, and perplexing matters."--J.M. Fischer, Philosophical Review
"Exceptionally lucid and closely reasoned discussions of the nature of death, from a materialist point of view, and the (dis)value of death, from a consequentialist perspective."--Robert Frazier, Philosophical Books
"This book is nearly ideal for engaging students in philosophy. It addresses important and interesting topics, and it is a model of clear thinking. Feldman demonstrates in a way accessible to nonspecialists how to evaluate reasons for a position by casting them in the form of an uncomplicated argument and how to undermine those reasons by constructing a counterexample to a clearly identified premise. The books frequent summaries make it easy for an undergraduate to follow, and the choice of examples ranges beyond the standard science-fiction cases."--Edward Wierenga, Teaching Philosophy
"Confrontations contains useful and provocative contributions to the growing literature on the metaphysics and value of death. The extraordinary clarity of Feldman's style is also one of the book's virtues....Feldman has, through clear discussion and illuminating examples, enriched the framework in which philosophers may continue to examine important moral questions concerning death."--Stephen E. Rosenbaum, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
"Replete with imaginative examples, systematic arguments, and some off-beat humour."--Times Literary Supplement
About the Author
Author of Introductory Ethics (1978), A Cartesian Introduction to Philosophy (1986), and Doing the Best We Can: An Essay in Informal Deontic Logic (1986), Fred Feldman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a great introduction to philosophical thinking.,
By Chris Rodkey (rodkeyc@acad1.stvincent.edu) (Latrobe, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Confrontations with the Reaper: A Philosophical Study of the Nature and Value of Death (Paperback)
_Confrontations with the Reaper_ is a good introduction to philosophical thinking. It is very well written and full of life. Many classroom discussions will pour from its pages.The philosophy club at my college is using this text for a discussion along with Camus, Woody Allen, and _The Bagavad Gita_. The only problem with it is that it is so analytic that it seems to suggest materialism as an idea human state to be in, but that's just my personal problem with the book. If you're studying the philosophy of death or are in a college philosophy club this one's a great pick.
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most useful contemporary work on this topic.,
This review is from: Confrontations with the Reaper: A Philosophical Study of the Nature and Value of Death (Paperback)
Feldman's analysis is cogent and creative, a hard combination to achieve. Worth reading and re-reading -- and invaluable to students.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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primary intrinsic goods, universal justice level, ideal act utilitarianism, termination thesis, hedonic act utilitarianism, personal dualist, satisfactory philosophical analysis, deathless fission, hedonic utility, personal dualism, universal length, extrinsic evil, psychological person, biological person, receipt levels, deprivation approach, desert levels, victim value, vital fluid, nutritive soul, vital properties Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Aunt Ethel, Materialist Conception of Death, Vitalist Theories of Life, Life-Functional Theories of Life, The Enigma of Death, The Survival of Death, Jay Rosenberg, Case Two, Case One, The Martian, Commandant of Condoms Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
primary intrinsic goods, universal justice level, ideal act utilitarianism, termination thesis, hedonic act utilitarianism, personal dualist, satisfactory philosophical analysis, deathless fission, hedonic utility, personal dualism, universal length, extrinsic evil, psychological person, biological person, receipt levels, deprivation approach, desert levels, victim value, vital fluid, nutritive soul, vital properties Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Aunt Ethel, Materialist Conception of Death, Vitalist Theories of Life, Life-Functional Theories of Life, The Enigma of Death, The Survival of Death, Jay Rosenberg, Case Two, Case One, The Martian, Commandant of Condoms Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
17
books
cite this book:
See all 17 books citing this book
- The Good, the Right, Life And Death: Essays in Honor of Fred Feldman by Kris McDaniel on 4 pages
- Hospice or Hemlock?: Searching for Heroic Compassion by Constance Putnam on page 19, and Back Matter
- Death Liturgy And Ritual: A Pastoral and Liturgical Theology (Liturgy, Worship and Society) (Liturgy, Worship and Society) by Paul P. J. Sheppy on page 35, and Back Matter
- Midwest Studies in Philosophy, Life and Death: Metaphysics and Ethics (Volume XXIV) by Peter A. French on page 115
- The Last Choice (Contributions in Philosophy) by C. Prado in Back Matter
See all 17 books citing this book
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