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The Resource A brief history of death, W. M. Spellman

A brief history of death, W. M. Spellman

Creator
Author
Summary
As humans, death - its certainty, its inevitability - consumes us. We make it the subject of our literature, our art, our philosophy, and our religion. Our feelings and attitudes toward our mortality and its possible afterlives have evolved greatly from the early days of mankind. Collecting these views in this topical and instructive book, W. M. Spellman considers death and dying from every angle in the Western tradition, exploring how humans understand and come to terms with the end of life. Using the work of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists, Spellman examines how interpreting physical remains gives us insight into prehistoric perspectives on death. He traces how humans have died over the centuries, both in the causes of death and in the views of actions that lead to death. He spotlights the great philosophical and scientific traditions of the West, which did not believe in an afterlife or see the purpose of bereavement, while also casting new light on the major religious beliefs that emerged in the ancient world, particularly the centuries-long development of Christianity. He delves into three approaches to the meaning of death - the negation of life, continuity in another form, and agnosticism - from both religious and secular-scientific perspectives. Providing a deeper context for contemporary debates over end-of-life issues and the tension between longevity and quality of life, A Brief History of Death is an illuminating look at the complex ways humans face death and the dying
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
253 pages
Contents
  • Introduction
  • Preliminary patterns
  • Thinking things through
  • Extraordinary narratives
  • Adverse environments
  • Modern reconsiderations
  • Conclusion
Isbn
9781780232652
Instance
Label
A brief history of death
Title
A brief history of death
Statement of responsibility
W. M. Spellman
Creator
Author
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
As humans, death - its certainty, its inevitability - consumes us. We make it the subject of our literature, our art, our philosophy, and our religion. Our feelings and attitudes toward our mortality and its possible afterlives have evolved greatly from the early days of mankind. Collecting these views in this topical and instructive book, W. M. Spellman considers death and dying from every angle in the Western tradition, exploring how humans understand and come to terms with the end of life. Using the work of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists, Spellman examines how interpreting physical remains gives us insight into prehistoric perspectives on death. He traces how humans have died over the centuries, both in the causes of death and in the views of actions that lead to death. He spotlights the great philosophical and scientific traditions of the West, which did not believe in an afterlife or see the purpose of bereavement, while also casting new light on the major religious beliefs that emerged in the ancient world, particularly the centuries-long development of Christianity. He delves into three approaches to the meaning of death - the negation of life, continuity in another form, and agnosticism - from both religious and secular-scientific perspectives. Providing a deeper context for contemporary debates over end-of-life issues and the tension between longevity and quality of life, A Brief History of Death is an illuminating look at the complex ways humans face death and the dying
Cataloging source
BTCTA
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Spellman, W. M
Dewey number
306.9
Index
index present
LC call number
HQ1073
LC item number
.S695 2014
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
NLM call number
  • 2014 G-254
  • HQ 1073
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Death
  • Thanatology
  • History of Medicine
  • Death
  • Death
  • Death
  • Tod
  • Westliche Welt
  • Death
  • Death
  • Death
  • Muerte
  • Muerte
  • Muerte
Label
A brief history of death, W. M. Spellman
Instantiates
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 212-247) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Introduction -- Preliminary patterns -- Thinking things through -- Extraordinary narratives -- Adverse environments -- Modern reconsiderations -- Conclusion
Control code
ocn859583617
Dimensions
23 cm.
Extent
253 pages
Isbn
9781780232652
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
System control number
  • (Sirsi) i9781780232652
  • (OCoLC)859583617
Label
A brief history of death, W. M. Spellman
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 212-247) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Introduction -- Preliminary patterns -- Thinking things through -- Extraordinary narratives -- Adverse environments -- Modern reconsiderations -- Conclusion
Control code
ocn859583617
Dimensions
23 cm.
Extent
253 pages
Isbn
9781780232652
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
System control number
  • (Sirsi) i9781780232652
  • (OCoLC)859583617

Subject

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