Facing Our Mortality Without Fear: Advice from the Great Philosophers

The fear of our mortality is a common and natural fear among humans. There is a proud tradition in philosophy of being able to offer consolation and comfort for the trials and tribulations of life, including the greatest and final trial - death. Socrates said that whether death is extinction or the persistence of the soul in an afterlife, it is nothng to fear. The first half of the book" Montaigne on the Fear of Death" shows how we can overcome our fear even if death is extinction, and the second half, "A Philosopher's View of Heaven" presents a positive portrayal of "heaven" based on reason rather than revelation, and one which helps to make sense of our earthly life.