Nothing to Fear

The Epicurean approach to death.

Many question the relevance that Hellenistic philosophies have today; how could something written approximately two thousand years ago apply in a world with indoor plumbing; universal healthcare; and next-day-delivery? One, slightly morbid constant has not changed; however, our mortality.

Humans are organic, living beings and with that comes an expiration date. No one knows when, no one really knows how they will die; all they know is that it will happen. Despite death being a natural and integral part of life, it is still very much a taboo, enshrined in euphemisms throughout the centuries in order to make it appear more palatable and less daunting.

Can the teachings of an ancient Philosopher be the key to navigating fear out of death and helping us embrace our mortality by realising the brevity of life?

It is important to know that the Epicurean school did not generally believe in an afterlife; therefore this idea could be subject to debate depending on religious or spiritual beliefs. The inherent fear of death is generally believed to be caused by the idea an individual could have an awareness that they are dead; however, the Epicurean school of thought believes that death is an end to the pain and suffering of dying and the end of thought as we know it. If we lose the ability to feel awareness, there should be no need to fear.

With this, most followers of Epicureanism adapted this indifference to death, often using the phrase; “Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo” as an epitaph, which can be found on many Ancient Roman gravestones. The sentence reads:

I was not,
I was,
I am not,
I do not mind.

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