Despite so many inequalities in this world there is one thing that visits everyone equally - death.

It has a 100% success rate since time immemorial

Of course this is a popular impetus to re-evaluate one's scruples with spiritual/religious issues, but the purpose of this thread is to examine what personal issues surround the prospect of one's looming non-existence.

What preparations does one make for death?
(yes ok - get your will in order etc etc, but what personal issues require to be addressed?)

Would you find it important that you be remembered by others?
Would you strive to determine in what way you have contributed or benefited others?
Is it sufficient to reflect over one's accomplishments/acquisitions?

Given the prospect of your imminent dying, what values would you hold as pertinent to determine the value of your living?

what values would you hold as pertinent to determine the value of your living?

Breathing, eating, exercising, talking, fishing, swimming, reading, music, museums, boating, flying, traveling, hiking, caring, helping others, meditating and on and on. Just about everything there is to do is what I'm doing for I try to live the best I can while I can. I don't dwell on what lies ahead only what I have can do today while I'm here.

Breathing, eating, exercising, talking, fishing, swimming, reading, music, museums, boating, flying, traveling, hiking, caring, helping others, meditating and on and on. Just about everything there is to do is what I'm doing for I try to live the best I can while I can. I don't dwell on what lies ahead only what I have can do today while I'm here.
so in otherwords the art of dying is all about casting a wide net while you are living?

What determines the variety?
for instance would reading under water offer a grander variety than what reading and swimming can accomplish separately?
(In other words at what point does variety simple become more of a muchness?)

Everything in moderation. Do it one thing at a time that way you can enjoy it to its fullest.;)

Everything in moderation. Do it one thing at a time that way you can enjoy it to its fullest.;)
If something is actually enjoyable, what requires it to be moderated?

Your common sense, your sense of what is right and wrong and your own belief system whatever it might be. Those are very helpful although there are others.

Your common sense, your sense of what is right and wrong and your own belief system whatever it might be. Those are very helpful although there are others.
hence the OP was specifically targeted at these "common sense" issues that surround the prospect of death

So now you understand what most people do, use common sense when alive, or at least try to whenever possible.

Three yards of black fabric enshroud my computer terminal. I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.

His obituary reads as follows:

Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape.
Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering. Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S.

A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet. C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math.

C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf. His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.

As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last. Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought.

Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.

http://infohost.nmt.edu/~armiller/commonsen.htm

So now you understand what most people do, use common sense when alive, or at least try to whenever possible.


I never doubted it

What I was curious about however was the issues that this common sense deals with.

For instance does your common sense dictate that reading under water offers a fresh alternative to reading and/or swimming?
What distinguishes one alternative as "fresher" than another?
And most importantly, as it relates to the OP, what is it specifically about the quality of fresh alternatives that make the prospect of inevitable death more manageable?

Life is what most people do, to prepare for its conclusion.

In a different thread, I likened it to having to stand up and learn to surf (but there's only one wave).

Some try to do tricks, or boogie around and show off, some have enough to deal with keeping their balance, some cling to the board and hang on for dear life, and some fall off, when they try to stand up.

I think surfing is a good analogy for what people do to "get through" their life, and "get to" the end. On whatever shore it dumps them.

Life is what most people do, to prepare for its conclusion.

In a different thread, I likened it to having to stand up and learn to surf (but there's only one wave).

Some try to do tricks, or boogie around and show off, some have enough to deal with keeping their balance, some cling to the board and hang on for dear life, and some fall off, when they try to stand up.

I think surfing is a good analogy for what people do to "get through" their life, and "get to" the end. On whatever shore it dumps them.

I dig the analogy

Life is what most people do, to prepare for its conclusion.

In a different thread, I likened it to having to stand up and learn to surf (but there's only one wave).

Some try to do tricks, or boogie around and show off, some have enough to deal with keeping their balance, some cling to the board and hang on for dear life, and some fall off, when they try to stand up.

I think surfing is a good analogy for what people do to "get through" their life, and "get to" the end. On whatever shore it dumps them.
so it's more about accomplishment?

if all you can manage to do in life is keep your balance that's not as good as doing a headstand?

How does this approach and address issues that surround the prospect of getting "washed up somewhere" ?

Depends what you mean by "washed up", and "somewhere".

Are there safe islands to get to, between you and the big shore, that mean you can rest up, and ignore the ocean for a while (maybe do some fishing)?!?

Or big, sharp, dangerous rocks that you should keep away from?
(There's a surf spot, not far from where I grew up, Raglan. Out past the township there's an ocean beach, and a corner called "The Boneyard"--lots of rocks not far under the surface--you have to be pretty dude to surf it.)

Depends what you mean by "washed up", and "somewhere".

Are there safe islands to get to, between you and the big shore, that mean you can rest up, and ignore the ocean for a while (maybe do some fishing)?.
I'm not challenging the validity of your values
I am just trying to ascertain what is the connection between the activities of life and the prospect of life ceasing/moving on

...the prospect of life ceasing/moving on..This is what's just around the next corner, all the time, or waiting somewhere, in the wings, or on the shore (--not with a big fluffy towel for you, either).

You/we simply can have no better than "an idea", of how close you are to "the end", at any given time.

Maybe a big rock is in the way up ahead, you won't see it until you're about to crash into it...

This is what's just around the next corner, all the time, or waiting somewhere, in the wings, or on the shore--not with a big fluffy towel for you, either.
You simply can have no better than "an idea", of how close you are to "the end", at any given time.
Maybe a big rock is in the way up ahead, you won't see it until you're about to crash into it...
given that people often undergo radical changes in their psychology/life outlook when facing the prospect of imminent death (as opposed to theoretical death) it seems that ante can indeed actually be upped on the "idea of death" stakes

given that people often undergo radical changes in their psychology/life outlook when facing the prospect of imminent death (as opposed to theoretical death) it seems that ante can indeed actually be upped on the "idea of death" stakes

It didn't go up for me when I tried to commit suicide.

It didn't go up for me when I tried to commit suicide.
assuming that you didn't try it in the previous 5 minutes, your being here indicates you've undergone some serious re-evaluation of values since

the art of dying hmmm
well im flamin well gob smacked

Given the prospect of your imminent dying, what values would you hold as pertinent to determine the value of your living?

I don't know..
I am not making any preparations either, apart from insurance of course.

Given the prospect of your imminent dying, what values would you hold as pertinent to determine the value of your living?As long as I am happy there is no need to assess the "value" of my life.
And as long as I remain happy, and die happy, the rest can take care of itself.

As long as I am happy there is no need to assess the "value" of my life.
And as long as I remain happy, and die happy, the rest can take care of itself.

since our happiness is influenced by the happiness of others (others who are just as likely to die as us), difficulties arise

since our happiness is influenced by the happiness of others (others who are just as likely to die as us), difficulties ariseHow so? What difficulties arise as a result of my happiness being influenced by the happiness of others?
Please explain your apparent odd comment so that I may actually understand what you are trying to state.
You state "difficulties arise" but can't be bothered to say what they might be, almost as though I should be a mind reader?
Please - if you respond to a comment - do so such that there is little doubt as to what you actually are trying to say.

What difficulties do you feel would arise?
Why do you consider them "difficulties"?
Why would these "difficulties" arise?

How so? What difficulties arise as a result of my happiness being influenced by the happiness of others?
Please explain your apparent odd comment so that I may actually understand what you are trying to state.
You state "difficulties arise" but can't be bothered to say what they might be, almost as though I should be a mind reader?
Please - if you respond to a comment - do so such that there is little doubt as to what you actually are trying to say.

What difficulties do you feel would arise?
Why do you consider them "difficulties"?
Why would these "difficulties" arise?
it would be difficult to indicate a substantial cause of happiness that one could experience outside of a social context of other persons.
(IOW I don't think eating chocolate rates high on the scale)

it would be difficult to indicate a substantial cause of happiness that one could experience outside of a social context of other persons.
(IOW I don't think eating chocolate rates high on the scale)
I agree that most causes of happiness, at least for me, are created in social contexts. But you have not yet explained how this means that "problems arise". THAT is the bit that to me does not follow, and as such makes your statement appear a non sequitor.

So I'll ask again...
What "problems" arise, in your view?
Why do you consider them to be "problems"?

I agree that most causes of happiness, at least for me, are created in social contexts. But you have not yet explained how this means that "problems arise". THAT is the bit that to me does not follow, and as such makes your statement appear a non sequitor.

So I'll ask again...
What "problems" arise, in your view?
Why do you consider them to be "problems"?
if you say that the value of your life is your happiness and your happiness is dependent on others - and - if others are not steadfast in their commitment to your social upkeep (either they leave you or their affection for you leaves them) then you have a ripe scenario for difficulties

if you say that the value of your life is your happiness and your happiness is dependent on others - and - if others are not steadfast in their commitment to your social upkeep (either they leave you or their affection for you leaves them) then you have a ripe scenario for difficultiesAgain you are avoiding specifying what the nature of the problem actually is and why it would be a problem - as all you have actually done yet again is rephrase your previous comment that it is a "ripe scenario for difficulties".

So, once more...
What "problems" arise, in your view?
Why do you consider them to be "problems"?

They should contemplate how they will be remembered, and whether they have understood all that they have come to see. If they are content with their life, and have understood all that they've seen and witnessed, they are truly prepared.

I'd hate to die not knowing.. .:D

Well, my 2c worth is that any species that is essentially a group organism will always have groups that contend with each other.

We identify with groups, or we say we belong in some group, all the time.
Groups contend with each other for resources, ideas, you name it. I also think this is why some sort of global philosophy is a bit of a dream, too.

"the happiness of others" especially in the context of other groups, is only one kind of connection, but we're all playing a kind of poker game, right?

Again you are avoiding specifying what the nature of the problem actually is and why it would be a problem - as all you have actually done yet again is rephrase your previous comment that it is a "ripe scenario for difficulties".

So, once more...
What "problems" arise, in your view?
Why do you consider them to be "problems"?
i thought it was straight forward but I will try and say it again in clear language


My value of life depends on my happiness
My happiness depends on others committing to my social needs

Do you encounter irregularities or uncertainties in having others make a steady commitment to your social needs?
Does everyone you encounter in life co-operate with your plans on how they can make you happy in life?

i thought it was straight forward but I will try and say it again in clear languageIt would be if you could just answer the question.

My value of life depends on my happinessWho said this? Me? Not so. I said: "As long as I am happy there is no need to assess the "value" of my life." That is not the same as saying the "value" depends on "happiness".

My happiness depends on others committing to my social needsAgain - who has said this? Me? No.
My happiness is driven, in part, by the happiness of others - NOT them "committing to my social needs". See the difference? You do also realise that social interactions are 2-way?

Do you encounter irregularities or uncertainties in having others make a steady commitment to your social needs?
Does everyone you encounter in life co-operate with your plans on how they can make you happy in life?This is thus irrelevant in answering the questions I have asked.

So let's start again.

I have said this:
"As long as I am happy there is no need to assess the "value" of my life.
And as long as I remain happy, and die happy, the rest can take care of itself."

You replied:
"since our happiness is influenced by the happiness of others (others who are just as likely to die as us), difficulties arise"

I have asked, and now ask for the 4th time:
What "problems" arise, in your view?
Why do you consider them to be "problems"?

So far all you have done is rephrased your initial reply, as if this somehow answers the question:
Response 1: "since our happiness is influenced by the happiness of others (others who are just as likely to die as us), difficulties arise"
Response 2: "it would be difficult to indicate a substantial cause of happiness that one could experience outside of a social context of other persons.
(IOW I don't think eating chocolate rates high on the scale)"
Response 3: "if you say that the value of your life is your happiness and your happiness is dependent on others - and - if others are not steadfast in their commitment to your social upkeep (either they leave you or their affection for you leaves them) then you have a ripe scenario for difficulties"


So, let me explain how it works...
I ask a question... you reply - preferably NOT in the form of another question that you assume somehow answers the question asked of you (which they don't - as you clearly have missed any semblance of understanding).


Let me ask again in easier-to-understand terms...
Why does the fact that my happiness depends upon social interactions mean that problems will arise? Is it not possible, through those (2-way) interactions, that I also have a means of controlling the output (to a degree) by controlling the input (to a degree): if I upset someone I expect them to be angry / miffed - which will impact my happiness. So I try not to upset. They are happy - and as a result they are kinder to me - so I am happy. Understand?

I am also curious as to your thought process that assumes that being dependent, in part, on social interaction for happiness must be a one-way relationship - as though standing on the corner demanding that people make you happy.
Care to elaborate on your thought-processes in this regard?

It would be if you could just answer the question.

Who said this? Me? Not so. I said: "As long as I am happy there is no need to assess the "value" of my life." That is not the same as saying the "value" depends on "happiness".

T/F?

If you were not happy there would be no need to assess the value of your life?

T/F????

If you were not happy there would be no need to assess the value of your life?If you don't know how much you weigh, but your willingness to get on the scales is dependent upon your happiness, do you really think your weight is dependent upon happiness?

???

If you don't know how much you weigh, but your willingness to get on the scales is dependent upon your happiness, do you really think your weight is dependent upon happiness?
T/F = True/False

It helps elicit a clear response to questions that are likely to draw rambling replies.

???

If you don't know how much you weigh, but your willingness to get on the scales is dependent upon your happiness, do you really think your weight is dependent upon happiness?

I'd say yes. That is because how you look also affects the way you feel. ;)