Text, Image, Sound - Philosophy of Death

CLLC-L 110 / Class 13849 — FALL 2026

Location
Collins Edmondson Hall C112
Days and Times
M/W 3:55 – 5:10 pm
Course Description

In this course, we’ll study metaphysical, psychological, and ethical issues relating to death. Our focus will be on key debates within the field of philosophy. We’ll examine competing answers to several questions, including: What is death? How does death affect the meaning of life? Is it bad that we will die? Is it possible for us to survive our biological deaths? Should abortion or physician-assisted suicide be legalized? Should the death penalty be abolished? When is it permissible for a soldier to kill in war? How should we understand the psychology of perpetrators of mass killing? And what responsibility do richer nations have to prevent death around the world? 


Instructor: James Murphy