Death and the Meaning of Life, social science homework help

Reflect upon the following quote:  “To live rationally one must live so that death cannot destroy life.”  Tolstoy, L. (1885) What I Believe.

Write a two to three page paper (excluding title and reference pages) discussing your view of this statement in light of the material we have been studying.  Respond to the following questions:

  • With the inevitable pain of the loss of a loved one to death, what makes life worthwhile?
  • What is my personal philosophy about the purpose of life and death?
  • How am I able to manage the fears, grief and pain that come with confronting my death or the death of someone dear to me?
  • How can I live a satisfying life in the face of death?

Try to use this exercise as a way of balancing the potentially difficult subject matter of this course by looking at death from a larger perspective.  Of course we will all suffer the loss of others from death, and will eventually face our own death, so it is important for us to have something that makes life with the inevitability of death worthwhile to us personally.  We also benefit by having a way of coping with death and loss as we experience it in our lives. There is no right or wrong answer to this assignment as it is a personal reflection.

As a suggestion, search “life and death” in the ebrary for a few selections that may help support your thoughts or give you more ideas. 

Your submission must be two- to three-pages and include a title page and reference page formatted per APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. For this assignment, please include a minimum of two scholarly sources.