The Denial of Death

The phenomenon of death in Western culture has been described by historians, anthropologists, writers and poets: Death is the greatest evil. "Gods so consider it," says Sapho, "else they would die." And Anacreon is terrified by approaching death: "Death is too terrible. Frightening are the depth of Hades. There is no return." Philosophers have through the centuries pursued the meaning of death. In early Greek writings, the Epicureans' argument against the fear of death speaks for itself: ... For Epicurus life can be good, if only man will learn how to live and how to die. I have anticipated thee, Fortune, and entrenched myself against all thy secret attacks. And we will not give ourselves up as captives to thee or to any other circumstances: but when it is time for us to go. spitting contempt on life and on those who here vainly cling to it, we will leave life crying aloud in a glorious triumph song that we have lived well. I