Our lives are limited, we cannot avoid death. This dissertation explores whether death in human life contributes to a meaningful life and an art of living. This theorem is examined by comparing the ideas of three existentialist philosophers, i.e. Heidegger, Sartre and Camus. Relying on an analysis by Dasein, Heidegger argues that death is part of life and makes it complete. Unlike Heidegger, Sartre states that by dying, we become objects that exist only for the outside world. We don’t need death to achieve a meaningful life. Camus argues that, because of death, human life is indeed meaningless and therefore absurd. However, through the realization and acceptance hereof, we are able to live a joyful life in the here and now. By comparing these ideas, we conclude that Camus offers the most balanced answer.
| Date of Award | 2021 |
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| Original language | Dutch |
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- existentialism, mortality, death, meaning of life, absurdity, fear, art of life
Dood in menselijk leven.: Een existentieel-filosofisch onderzoek naar een antwoord of de dood of het sterven van de mens bijdraagt tot een zingeving en levenskunst.
Van De Moortele, L. R. M. ((PhD) Student), Stuy, J. (Promotor), Ducheyne, S. (Jury), Verstrynge, K. (Jury). 2021
Student thesis: Master's Thesis