Studied by 3 people
Metaphysical approach and Existential approach
IMPENDING DEATH: Two Approaches
Existential approach (what are the features of death as a human possibility?)
An approach to impending death, ___________looks at the features of death that significantly affect how a person conducts his/her life.
Metaphysical approach (* When can we say that a person is dead?)
An approach to impending death, ________ looks at what happens to a person when he/she dies.
Death as an Event
1. Cardio-pulmonary (traditional way)
2. Whole-brain
3. Higher-brain
Cardio-pulmonary (traditional way)
This is when the heart and lungs stop working together. Basically, your heart stops beating, and you stop breathing. Without oxygen, your body can't function properly, leading to death.
Whole-brain
In this case, all functions of your brain cease. This means your brain, which controls everything you do and feel, stops working completely. Without brain function, your body can't carry out any of its vital functions, leading to death.
Higher-brain
This happens when the part of your brain responsible for consciousness and awareness shuts down. You essentially lose all awareness and perception of the world around you. While some bodily functions may still continue, without higher brain function, you're effectively not "there" anymore.
Materialist and Spiritual
Two General Views on Death - _______________
Materialist
human is just a material entity. Everything in life ends in death
Spiritual
man has soul/spirit
Atomist
death is a process (continuous) of transformation from one state to another.
Plato
“Man is composed of body and soul.”
“Death is seen as liberation from the body.”
Socrates
“Fear of Death is irrational.”
Epicurus
“ where I am, death is not, and where death is, I am not”
Characteristics of death - Martin Heidegger (1889–1976)
One’s own most
Non-relational
Cannot be outstripped
Certain
Indefinite
Frankl Viktor (Man search for meaning)
“ A life without end is a life without meaning.”
“If we were immortal, we could legitimately postpone every action forever. It would be no consequence whether or not we did a thing now; every act as well be done tomorrow or the day after or a year from now or ten years hence.”
“ Life is like a wax of a candle that loses itself by giving out light.”
Aristotle
“Life is a potency that has to be actualized.”
Soren Kierkegaard
“life is meant to be lived not understood.”
Man
PERSON-WHO-ALWAYS-EXISTS-WITH- OTHERS-IN –THE WORLD
Man
• Man, who is a person, never reveals himself in isolation but always in his togetherness with others.
• Man’s “being-in” cannot be detached from man’s “being-with.”
• As a person, man is not a “what” but a “who.”
• Since man is a “who”, man is NOT an object but a SUBJECT.
• And, since, man is a subject, he, therefore, is NOT a thing but a SELF
Existentialism and Phenomenology
- relate the concept of interpersonal relations to self-awareness and transcendence.
Existentialism and Phenomenology
- the individual is primarily aware of himself/herself, and it is this egocentric perspective that
Self
defines how he/she perceives and relates to reality.
- this awareness is called “_____”
Existentialist perspective
Defines interpersonal relations as the “self” being aware of “other.”
Other
___________ - refers to objects outside of personal experience or the individual apart from the “self.”
Intersubjectivity
The interaction between “self” and the “other” is related to the philosophical concept.
Levels of “self-other” interactions
I. Awareness of the existence of the “other.”
II. Awareness of the “self” as being seen by others.
III. Awareness of the “self in the other”
Knowing that other people exist.
Awareness of the existence of the “other.”
Knowing that others can see you.
Awareness of the “self” as being seen by others.
Understanding how others see you and how you see yourself in relation to them.
Awareness of the “self in the other”
I-It level of Relationship (unreciprocated)
- capsulizes, more or less, the “being-for” existence of man and not man’s “being-with” existence.
- man is treated not as a “who”, a “subject” and a “self” but as a “what” , an object and a thing.
I-It level of Relationship (unreciprocated)
- man is treated not as a “who”, a “subject” and a “self” but as a “what” , an object and a thing.
I-He/She level of Relationship (unreciprocated)
- “I” considers and recognizes the other as a person.
- Recognizes the needs and rights of the person.
I-He/She level of Relationship (unreciprocated)
- “I” treats the “He/She” not as a means to an end but as an end and value in himself.
I-Thou level of Relationship (reciprocated)
- highest level of relationship.
- happens when the “I” and “thou” are bound together in the context love.
- it points to a singular “I” to another singular “I”
Love
- happens when the “I” and “thou” are bound together in the context of _______.
Positive Freedom and Negative Freedom
Kinds of Freedom: ________________
Positive Freedom
- It requires an active effort from the person who is said to be free.
- a person is taking control.
Negative Freedom
- is freedom from external restraints, barriers, and other interferences
Free Will
_________ the capacity to choose from alternative courses of action or decision
Free Action
__________ the freedom to perform an action without any obstacles or hindrances.
Common Understanding of Freedom
"Doing whatever one wants."
Aristotle
Freedom is “boundedness.”
Pope John Paul II
"Freedom is not doing what you want but doing what you ought to do."
Argument against Freedom
Determinism
Determinism
- Is the philosophical idea that every event or state of affairs, including every human decision and
Determinism
- action, is the inevitable and necessary consequence of antecedent states of affairs.
Determinism
- Every event, action, and decision inevitably results from something independent of the human will.
Social Act
Freedom & Responsibility
The exercise of freedom is a ________.
Will I be able to face people with a dignified and resolved stance when I am chastised, criticize for my choice?
A responsible exercise of freedom takes the following questions in mind:
Am I aware of the consequences of my choice as soon as I act on them?
Will I be able to answer the grievances of those who will be hurt by these consequences?
___________________________________
Will I be prepared to give a reasonable answer to their questions?
Will I be prepared to give a reasonable answer to their questions?
A responsible exercise of freedom takes the following questions in mind:
Am I aware of the consequences of my choice as soon as I act on them?
Will I be able to answer the grievances of those who will be hurt by these consequences?
Will I be able to face people with a dignified and resolved stance when I am chastised, criticize for my choice?
___________________________________
Will I be able to answer the grievances of those who will be hurt by these consequences?
A responsible exercise of freedom takes the following questions in mind:
Am I aware of the consequences of my choice as soon as I act on them?
__________________________________
Will I be able to face people with a dignified and resolved stance when I am chastised, criticize for my choice?
Will I be prepared to give a reasonable answer to their questions?
reason and will
Freedom is the power, rooted in ___________, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility.
truth and goodness
By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in _____________; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude. - CCC # 1731
Requirements of Freedom
A. Must be dependent upon TRUTH
B. Oriented towards the GOOD
C. Requires RESPONSIBILITY
Truth
A. Must be dependent upon __________
B. Oriented towards the GOOD
C. Requires RESPONSIBILITY
Good
A. Must be dependent upon TRUTH
B. Oriented towards the _________
C. Requires RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility
A. Must be dependent upon TRUTH
B. Oriented towards the GOOD
C. Requires ____________
Note 
Flashcard (20)