Totalitarianist

Epicurus said:-

Any opinions?

Orestes

That's regarding the individuals fear of death, and not in regards to mourning the death of another.

Totalitarianist

I know. But it still applies here. Why sympathise
over something without feelings? Why mourn over
the deaths of others? The dead experience no
sensations.

Orestes

Because those still living experience feelings, whether its loss, grief, or a grim reminder of their own mortality, and it's healthier to deal with them than to try and ignore them.

echidna

Actually, Epicurus is more commonly quoted as :

Totalitarianist

Why should you care about the death of some
trivial person? Religious indoctrination, no
doubt.

Orestes

Because trivial is a relative term. If, for example, my best friend died, then I would mourn his loss, but I would also celebrate his life. If, however, your best friend died, I might offer a word of consolation, but it would'nt affect me beyond that.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, their lives and deaths are trivial, as are ours. But neither you or I are the 'grand scheme', and any notion of smug superiority is misguided.

Totalitarianist

And what if all New Zealanders suddenly died? I
do not see why anyone would care, unless they had
relatives there. Or unless their deaths somehow
had a negative effect on us individually. This
sort of sympathy makes no sense. This is learned.

Samhain

All sympathy is learned, Vir. We are all socialized to mourn the losses of loved ones, do you think that such is a "natural" reaction to the death of someone near to you? Do you think that mourning the deaths of those close to you is something that is inherent within human genetics?

However, you're partially correct in assuming that it has to do with socialization, these behaviors are learned, as we are taught to have sympathy for our loved ones, and not just sympathy, but the particular type of sympathy that suggests we should have sympathy for them even when they've passed. Perhaps it also has to do with the fact that we do not possess the powers of a god, and we cannot change that which has already been done. Most people have trouble accepting that which they cannot change, serenity may be more of a rarity than wisdom.

[ August 20, 2002: Message edited by: Samhain ]</p>

echidna

If one loves humanity, with all its faults, then any loss of life is worthy of mourning.

If one does not share this feeling, then one can be objectively labelled anti-social.