By Edith Wyschogrod (NHC Fellow, 1980–81) Contemporary phenomena of mass death—such as Hiroshima and Auschwitz—have brought with them the threat of annihilation of human life. In this provocative and disturbing book, Edith Wyschogrod shows that the various manifestations of man-made mass death form a single structure, a “death-event,” which radically alters our understanding of language, … Continued
By Frederick S. Paxton (NHC Fellow, 2006–07) This volume presents a complete reconstruction of the ritual response to terminal illness and death at the monastic community of Cluny at the height of its development in the later eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Based on the best manuscript of the customary of Bernard, the only account … Continued
By Thomas W. Laqueur (Trustee; NHC Fellow, 2000–01) The Greek philosopher Diogenes said that when he died his body should be tossed over the city walls for beasts to scavenge. Why should he or anyone else care what became of his corpse? In The Work of the Dead, acclaimed cultural historian Thomas Laqueur examines why humanity … Continued
By Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs (NHC Fellow, 1978–79) A lecture sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution Libraries in conjunction with the Washington Collegium for the Humanities Lecture Series: Death and the Afterlife in Art and Literature. Presented at the Smithsonian Institution, February 16, 1988.
By Bernard Gert (NHC Fellow, 2001–02) and K. Danner Clouser This book is the result of over 30 years of collaboration among its authors. It uses the systematic account of our common morality developed by one of its authors to provide a useful foundation for dealing with the moral problems and disputes that occur in … Continued
By Bart D. Ehrman (NHC Fellow, 2009–10; 2018–19) What happens when we die? A recent Pew Research poll showed that 72% of Americans believe in a literal heaven, 58% in a literal hell. Most people who hold these beliefs are Christian and assume they are the age-old teachings of the Bible. But eternal rewards and … Continued
Edited by Rona Goffen (NHC Fellow, 1986–87), Ronald G. Witt (NHC Fellow, 1983–84), and Marcel Tetel
Edited by Tom Regan (NHC Fellow, 1984–85) and Tom L. Beauchamp A collection of original essays by leading moral philosophers, written specifically for students with no prior background in ethics. Focusing on the major ethical issues of the day, the essays cover problems such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, famine, war, suicide, the environment and … Continued
All things change, say philosophers, but sometimes they change more dramatically than we’re ready for. Ancient Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Christian writers developed a number of practical strategies for coping with sudden illness, loss, and death. In this webinar, we will explore two: the consolation, which looks to the future, and the thanksgiving, which looks … Continued
My humanities moment happened at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. The piece that struck me the most during my visit to the museum was “Untitled No. 11, 1963” by Mark Rothko. This painting made me feel alone, made me ponder what it would feel like to be devoid of all senses, … Continued