The Concept of Death - Essay Example

The Concept of Death This is a definition of a concept of my choice. In my course of learning, I have come across various concepts that caught my imagination. In this context, I define the concept of death. Clearly, death is inevitable and irreversible. As such, although many people may not understand the concept of death, it is true that nobody wants to experience this concept. We can refer to the concept of death as a period when a living thing dies. Death relates to the end of an individual’s life. It defines a permanent and irreversible end of all fundamental functions like breathing. Death leads to a condition of being dead. Ideally, various definitions of death depend on distinct factors like religion, culture, age, and academic field. The paper addresses various definitions of the concept of death. It also defines the different perspectives adopted by children and adults about the concept of death. The paper equally defines the concept of death with respect to culture especially the Chinese culture. Ultimately, the paper draws my opinion on the definitions of the concept of death. Legally, we can define death as a legal declaration by a person in authority that there is no need to continue offering medical assistance to a patient and that the patient is dead under the law. Furthermore, under medical terms we can define the concept of death as the end and cessation of all important body functions like breathing, thinking, and thumping. We also have a Biblical meaning of the concept of death. Indeed, the Bible refers to the concept of death as a separation of two things (Elliott 1). The Bible refers to the concept of physical death as a separation between the body and soul (Elliott 1). On the other hand, it refers to the concept of spiritual death as human separation from God (Elliott 1). Regardless of these definitions, it is clear that humans do not adore death and barely want to think about it. However, it is true that the concept of death is universal since everybody must experience at some point in life. As such, there is need to seek more understanding on the concept of death. The understanding and perspective of the concept of death differs between children and adults. Indeed, the understanding about death changes as children grow and approach maturity. Adults always struggle to explain the concept of death to children (Speece 57-60). As such, adults should beware of how a child understands death at different stages of child development. This helps adults to respond to death explanations and questions raised by the children. Notably, even adults struggle to discuss the concept of death since they are aware that it defines a natural process for all people. On the other hand, children have difficulties in understanding death since they are always afraid about what would happen if their parents or relatives die (Speece 59-62). However, it is worth noting that the perspective of death among children varies with age. Death is a universal concept that has different definitions based on culture. Different people react differently to the concept of death, mourning, and dying. In the Chinese culture, the concept of death attracts different views and treatment. In fact, I have experienced this fascinating and curious concept while in China as well as in U.S. It is thus clear that death occurs everywhere. Having attended different burials under the Chinese culture, I am aware of how Chinese treat the concept of death. Any culture is unique in how it treats death a seen in various customs and rituals observed during death. Notably, the Chinese treat the concept of death as a negative aspect that marks the end of life. As such, Chinese do not talk about this concept since they regard death as a taboo. However, in all cultures the living has respect for the dead. Indeed, people give different offerings to the dead. Such offerings may include money or burnt offerings. Some cultures even condemn dreaming about death where the dreamers must give offerings to the dead for purposes of making peace with the dead. In the Chinese culture, people who dream with the dead give money offerings. Other customs include buying cloth with sad colors during burials or the mourning period. Mourners can also bring paper flower arrangements to the deceased home and participate in the tomb-sweeping holiday as an act of grief and respect for the dead. These customs help in handling shock, denial, and sadness in case of an act of death. The concept of death equally leads to the discussion about life after death. Different cultures hold diverse opinions on life after death. This emanates from the fact that nobody is sure on the results of death and where the dead go. While some believe in life after death, others believe that there will be no reunion after death. The belief on life after death depends on one’s beliefs, religion, and faith. For instance, the Chinese and Japanese culture believe in Buddhism religion that considers death as a natural process that leads human beings to another life. While preparing patients for death, physicians should consider one’s beliefs in life after death. It is important to understand the feelings that come from the concept of death. Such feelings include grief, loss, and shock. We can reduce the impact of these feelings by discussing and sharing the memories of the dead. Grief takes some time and it is necessary to avoid the consequences of continued grief, shock, and denial. However, some people show no feelings when somebody dies. This could be due to lack of attachment to the dead or lack of understanding of the happenings. In most cases, children worry about their lives after the death of their parents, which leads to the need for moral support, and reassurance of love and care. In case, of death respectable adults convince the believed children that death was inevitable and irreversible. The concept of death is the saddest aspect in human life. We can establish that various people have tried to explain the concept of death. However, no one seems to be an expert in addressing this concept. This emanates from the fact that nobody has ever lived to explain the experience of death. All humans are probably equal in terms of discussing about death since we shall all die. Indeed, there are disagreements on whether death is real. For those who believe there is death, the there is a simple end to one’s life. For those who disregard the reality of death, the end of one’s life marks the beginning of another life. The debates about death show a lot of ignorance and emptiness since the mind cannot develop any images of death. As such, we use metaphors in discussing about the concept of death where we relate death to the end of suffering from diseases, poverty, and other negative aspects. Unlike other concepts, the concept of death lacks any object. Personally, I think death has no subject in me since I will never experience it coming to me. Nevertheless, I know I will once die and death will mark the end of my probable future. As such, there is a general feeling that the more we live the more we approach our death. Indeed, it is not easy to consider one’s death. This comes from the fact that we have limited information about death. By considering the importance of one’s life, it is easy for one to reflect on our death. In fact, thinking about life only helps us to value our life and establish the fundamental meaning of life. Ideally, death is the contrast of life and thinking about it can help us to face the life we are yet to experience. It is thus normal to think about the concept of death though it has yielded few answers in the past. Works Cited Elliott, Paul. What Is the Biblical Definition of Death? 2014. Web. 21 October 2014. < http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=74731&columnid=5435> Speece, Mark. “Children's Concepts of Death.” Michigan Family Review 1.1 (1996): 57-69. Print. Read More