Arguing With Epicurus

Why should I fear death? If I am, then death is not. If Death is, then I am not. Why should I fear that which can only exist when I do not?

This quote has been attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, and if you watched the recently released Gladiator II you would find that some part of this quote was used repeatedly.

It is a very inspiring quote that seems to relax one's fear of death and push one to act with the feeling that there are hardly consequences, and the huge consequence of death that you fear is hardly really a consequence.

But is the fact that you and death can't exist at the same time enough reason to not be scared of death?

Definitely not!

Because there are other consequences of death:

• Like how it would affect your loved ones.
• How it would affect the people depending on you.
• The pains you would have to experience before death takes you.

Death mostly comes with pains for the dying, whether through sickness, a fatal injury, a fatal accident, etc. Before dying a person could go through unspeakable pains before they shut down, is that not worth fearing?

Of course thinking about these things that I've talked about is not good for motivating warriors and daredevils, but it's the truth, or is it not? This is just one of those tough talks that inspired you but upon critical analysis you come to find that it hardly has substance.

The simple fact that you wouldn't be there when death comes doesn't mean there's nothing else to fear or nothing else worthy of your solemn consideration.

The End

Source of cover photo

Hi there, my novella Professor Otagburuagu just got published. It promises to be thoroughly entertaining and intellectually stimulating. Written by myself and illustrated by Scandinavian artist @ katharsisdrill. You can get it from me for just 4 HBD.

You can also order the hard copy from anywhere in the world via this link:
https://katharsisdrill.art/the-katharsisdrill-shop/professor-otagburuagu/

Thank you!