on DEATH

Philosophy Seminars
Sep. - Dec. 2019

With Dr Christos Hadjioannou

⬤ Metaphysics

mind-body relation, tripartite theory of the soul, immortality

⬤ Ethical dilemmas

definition of death, euthanasia, suicide, medical practices, cloning

⬤ Existentialism

angst, fear of death, the meaning of existence, the nothing, nihilism

What is death? Is death the end? Can the soul survive without a body? Is death something bad? Should humans have a right to euthanasia? Why do we mourn death? Can we overcome fear of death? Should we overcome it? Why is ending a life the worst crime? Iscapitalpunishmentjust? What is martyrdom? What is femicide? How does the capital instrumentalize death? What is the difference between the Holocaust and other mass murder? What is the value of life? What is the relationship between death and erotic desire?

The course raises fundamental philosophical issues regarding death. It will discuss the positions of major philosophers and thinkers from various historical periods and schools of thought. It will explore the phenomenon of death itself, as well as other pertinent conceptual issues. Among other things, the following perspectives and relations will be discussed:

Bioethical dilemmas (definition of death, euthanasia, suicide, Intensive Care Unit practices, cloning, etc.)
Death and Metaphysics (mind-body relation, tripartite theory of soul, immortality of soul, constitution of the “ego”, etc.)
Death and Optimism/Pessimism
Death and Existentialism (angst, fear of death, human existence, the nothing, etc.)
Death and Psychoanalysis
Death and Technology
Death and Neuroscience
Death and Gender
Death and Political Economy

The seminars will run for 10 weeks and will start in the end of September. The will take place once per week at Georgia Hadjioannou Fine Arts School in Aglantzia (Nicosia). Each seminar will last 90 minutes. The seminars are specially designed for beginners and do not require any prior knowledge in Philosophy. Further reading will be optional. The seminars are addressed to persons older than 21 years old.