The denial of death

Abstract

Animals don’t face the kind of existential conflict that we have to deal with. Generally, we assume that they go through life in their merry, instinctual ways. Homo sapiens isn’t so lucky and may envy their situation. Ironically, it’s our evolutionary progression, our ability to acquire knowledge, and our capacity for reflection that make death such a fearsome encounter for us. It puts our defensive apparatus on alert; it’s the reason behind the heroic efforts we make to push thoughts of death away. But despite these, the alarming reality of our impending death continues to intrude. Periodic reminders that the Grim Reaper is waiting for us are announced to us through the death of loved ones, wars, natural disasters, or a lump in our breast, admonitions that are very hard to ignore. We only begin to understand the truth of death for the first time, however, when it touches someone whom we dearly love.