Dialogue on grief and consolation / Terence O'Connell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Connell, Terence Lawlor.

Series:

Value inquiry book series ; v. 208.

Value inquiry book series. Lived values, valued lives.

VIBS, 0929-8436 ; v. 208. Lived values, valued lives

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Consolation.

Grief.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (305 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; New York, NY : Rodopi, 2009.

Language Note:

English

System Details:

data file

Summary:

Have you lost a loved one? The loss can be inestimable, the grief excruciating. What helped you? Did someone say something comforting? Did someone offer a consolation, which you resented? Have you ever tried to comfort someone with a terminal illness or one who has lost a loved one? Knowing how to help or what to say that is not trite, insincere, or superficial can be difficult. The point of view of a grieving person is quite different from that of those who wish to offer comfort. In a multicultural society such as ours, anticipating the beliefs of the grieving person can be even more difficult. This book explores the perspective of a grieving person. It considers the merits and potential harm of alternative comfort strategies. As a philosophical analysis of grief, it emphasizes an understanding of the beliefs that underlie grief and the usefulness or dangers of emotions. Because grief is so complex and sensitive, a narrow approach runs the risk of alienating the grieving person. The ideas in this book are expressed in a dialogue among three characters. Their discussion is broad and fundamental. Starting from the familiar consolation, “She’s no longer suffering” and the grieving person’s resentment toward the expression, the three friends articulate the value of life and the evils of death. Their discussion enriches their understanding of grief. Many consolations offered to mourners are poor arguments. Even the better ones do their work best in the context of a greater understanding of grief.

Contents:

Preliminary Material

IS GRIEF AMENABLE TO REASON?

GRIEF AND ANGER

“SHE’S NO LONGER SUFFERING”

“SHE HAD A GOOD LIFE”

TYPES OF GRIEF AND COMFORT STRATEGIES

THE ANNIHILATION CONSOLATION

DEATH AS DEPRIVATION

WOULD IMMORTALITY BE GOOD?

LIFE AS A WORK OF ART

DEATH’S IMPACT ON SURVIVORS

IS CONSTANT CHANGE CONSOLING?

IS PRESENT EXISTENCE BETTER THAN PAST EXISTENCE?

GRIEF AND DEATH’S INEVITABILITY

THE CYCLE OF LIFE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONS

BENEFITS AND HARMS OF GRIEF

GRIEF AS A WAY OF KNOWING

CONCLUSION

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

FOR FURTHER READING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INDEX

VIBS.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-279) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-50533-5

9786612505331

90-420-2628-6

1-4416-2554-2

OCLC:

659500161

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789042026285 DOI