Philosophy of death in the western philosophical and islamic traditions: a case study of heidegger.
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Peshawar Islamicus.
Abstract
“Death” has been an important theme of exploration in religions, philosophies and among
common men as well. All agreed on its inevitability but anticipation and attitude towards
acceptance of death has been discussed differently in philosophy and religion. The discourse on
death has been an important aspect of Western philosophical tradition since ancient times which
is clearly lacking in modern philosophy except in Schopenhauer’s pessimism and then again
noticeable in the existentialist enterprise. However, among existentialists, Heidegger is
distinguished by treating death as his personal commitment. By avoiding any transcendental
explanation, Heidegger presented an ontological inquiry into the nature of death. Interwoven
with complicated terminology, Heidegger personalized death with freedom to choose one’s way
of dying which he characterized as authentic-being-towards-death. His emphasis on freedom
gave the human valiant godly status, fearless, making new discoveries, inventions and defining
his way of dying. His fellow existentialists, such as Sartre, criticized his philosophy of death.
On the other hand, the nature of death being discussed in Islam is different. Islam personalizes
death but gives the authority of ceasing life in the hand of God. By emphasizing the importance
of the belief on Judgment Day, Islamic teachings hold a person accountable for his/her deeds
before God and provokes him/her to be moderate and pious in this world which will end one
day. The paper is an attempt to comprehend the key differences between Western philosophical
tradition and Islamic tradition in the discourse and understanding of death.
Description
Keywords
Islamic Thought and Civilization, Death, Existentialism, Extension of life, Resurrection
Citation
Ahmad, H.,& Lakhvi, M. H. (2015). Philosophy of death in the western philosophical and islamic traditions: a case study of Heidegger. Peshawar Islamicus, 6(1), 11-24. (Humaira Ahmad) (HEC Recognized Y Category)