Books
In my Doing Philosophy, death and the meaning of life is covered in one of the chapters of this broad ranging introduction to doing philosophy. The practical approach raises and tackles some common and puzzling questions on death.
Thomas Nagel, The View from Nowhere (Oxford University Press, 1989). A clear, thought provoking and highly insightful analysis of what it is to exist as a human being. Essential reading on the human condition. Mortal Questions (Cambridge University Press, 1991), Chapter 1, “Death”. A succinct review of the major elements Nagel attaches to death and our attitude towards it. What Does It All Mean? (Oxford University Press, 2004). A brief elegantly written introduction to all the major topics of philosophy. Nagel’s human approach to philosophy is easy to identify with and his clear and concise authority is a striking example of doing philosophy from one of the world’s most enlightened living philosophers.
Robert Nozick, The Examined Life (New York, Simon and Schuster, 1990).
Written in an personal and accessible style, this challenging book discusses
(and makes clearer) many of the doubts and concerns we have about
ourselves as individuals in a confusing world.
Roger Scruton, Modern Philosophy (London, Mandarin, 2004), Chapter 21
“Life, Death and Identity”. Scruton is easy to read and his book contains many
other topics of interested to the philosophically minded.
E.D. Klemke (ed.), The Meaning of Life (Oxford University Press, 2000). A fine
collection of essays that capture a full range of ideas on both general and
personal meaning.
James Warren, Facing Death: Epicurus and his Critics (Oxford, Clarendon, 2006). This is an impressive book, blending scholarly resource with sharp discussion, always to the point, always leaving the reader more informed...A must...His conclusion is superb in its precision, and he leaves us with the thought that Epicureanism is no 'quick fix', that, as Antiochus must work on the rational therapy offered by his philosophical counsellor in order to pass the message to his soul, so must we all - a better text for philosophical counselling surely could not be found.
Eugene O’Connor (trans.), The Essential Epicurus (Amherst, New York, Prometheus Books, 1993). Includes a valuable and enlightening introduction to the rational good sense of Epicurus’ thinking. The perfect place to start with any study of Epicurus.
The Epicurus Reader (Hackett, 1994). Take your reading of Epicurus further.
Death and Philosophy (London, Routledge, 1999). A more seriously philosophical investigation of different views and philosophical perspectives. Gives a full picture of thinking on the subject.
Films
There are some interesting and worthwhile films, some portraying the idea that there is a heaven where we go after we die, some looking at the processes that lead up to death for those dying and others involved.
Terms of Endearment (1983) is definitely worth a watch. A mother dependent on her daughter becomes the one faced with her daughter's death.
The Weather Man (2005). This analysis of a difficult father/son relationship provides a useful perspective on facing death through illness.
Heaven Can Wait, the Gene Tierney/Don Ameche (1943) or the Warren Beatty/James Mason (1978) both provide an entertaining vision of admission to Hades and how we entertain ourselves with ideas of an afterlife .
