The Solace: Finding Value in Death through Gratitude for Life

by Joshua Glasgow

Overview

Mourning the loss of loved ones can be one of the hardest things we go through. But what if we changed the way we thought about it, and learned to find positive value in death as part of life? This book examines how we can take solace in the fact that we and our loved ones will die, surprising or impossible as that may seem. Along the way, it investigates the nature of gratitude, how good and bad relate, and enduring theories surrounding death. Based on philosopher Joshua Glasgow's experience confronting his mother's battle with cancer, and his search for a meaningful, comforting way to think about it, the book will appeal to readers who confront the loss of loved ones and those who worry about their own death--in other words, everyone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190074326
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/06/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Joshua Glasgow is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Sonoma State University, where for several years he was also Director of the Center for Ethics, Law, and Society. He works on a variety of topics in ethics and political philosophy. He is the co-author of What is Race?: Four Philosophical Views, published by Oxford University Press in 2019.

Table of Contents

1 Silver Linings First Path: Nothingness 2 Epicurus' Dilemma 3 Passing Away 4 Incomparable 5 Solutions, Solutions Second Path: Immortality 6 Deprivation or Rescue? 7 The Impossible Thing 8 Changes Third Path: Life 9 Gratitude 10 The 8-Track and the Pen 11 Love 12 Valuable Imperfections 13 Existence 14 History 15 Experience 16 The Last Part 17 Solace 18 The Conversation

Editorial Reviews

"This book is beautifully written. It tackles some of the most basic 'existential' issues, such as death, nothingness, immortality, the value of life, and the appropriate attitude toward death. These are topics of interest to philosophers, but also to human beings in general, and the book is accessible to a wide range of readers, from beginners in philosophy to those who are more advanced. It is a deeply original book, developing a fascinating suggestion for the appropriate attitude toward death, based on the 'radiant value' of life. This is a humane, thoughtful exploration of deeply important issues." — John Martin Fischer, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, UC Riverside

"This is an elegant meditation on how to think about passing into death. Inspired by the author's desire to speak to his terminally ill mother about how to find some solace—something of value—in passing away, the book subtly weaves together philosophical ideas on death, immortality, the value of life, regret, meaningfulness, valuing imperfections, gratitude, and the sources of solace. Glasgow has a gift for gently guiding his reader through complex ideas without losing sight of our human need for solace in the face of mortality." — Cheshire Calhoun, Professor of Philosophy, Arizona State University

From the Publisher