Philosophies Of Mortality: Embrace Life Or Fear Death. You Die Either Way, So Your Call.

“’Mortality is so universal, but the ways we cope with mortality may be culturally specific,’ she said, noting that East Asians are taught early on to look at the world in terms of yin and yang. From that philosophical perspective, life and death are inseparable; death would mean nothing without life, and vice-versa. ‘From a Western point of view, we think of death as the annihilation of all we hold dear in our hearts,’ she said. ‘But (from an Eastern perspective), when you are reminded of your own death, it can serve as a reminder that right now, you have a wonderful, glorious life to live, and you should make the most of it before it comes to an end.’”
 — Harvard University psychologist Christine Ma-Kellams discusses her finding that “East Asians and Westerners react very differently to reminders of our mortality.” I guess this is all well and good if you can somehow con yourself into thinking that right now you have a wonderful, glorious life to live, but let’s face it, you don’t. In any event, it’s going to happen at some point, so whatever works.