Category Archives: PHIL 500

A unified study of suicide

From the Chronicle of Higher Education, a review on a new about the myths relating to suicide by Thomas Joiner: As its title announces, Myths About Suicide also seeks to debunk the myriad ways that suicide is stigmatized by ignorance, … Continue reading

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Painting for the survivors

Painting for the survivors with no questions asked. Here in the Sinaloan capital of Culiacan, Espinoza also specializes in painting religious imagery on the opulent mausoleums that serve as the final resting places for hundreds of traffickers slain in Mexico’s … Continue reading

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Dr. “Death” on HBO

Isn’t it odd how when you are studying something, be it a car to buy or a topic you’re studying in class, that BAM! The car, the topic, or whatever seems to be everywhere. When I was in high school … Continue reading

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Who says there can’t be postmortem activism?

Kinda creepy. But right in line with our discussions of experiencing postmortem good or harm. Through an unusual bequest in her will, the late Bea Arthur will remain an animal activist in her death. Don’t laugh. I wouldn’t want to … Continue reading

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The ripple effects of death

The Lake Shore Limited, a novel by Sue Miller, is about the ripple effects of a death on 9/11. Kukatani of the NY Times writes: The result is her most nuanced and unsentimental novel to date. This is a book that … Continue reading

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SF Chronicle writer’s cancer journey

I’ve followed her story from the beginning. Now it has moved to the hospice stage. Her humor is terrific and I’ve learned much from her.

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Muppets and grieving families

GRIEF: Katie Couric and the Muppets of “Seasame Street” in a new special, “When Families Grieve,” about coping with the loss of a parent.

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Grief and goodbyes

Two photos of a brother saying goodbye.

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Can an animal commit suicide?

On Andrew Sullivan’s blog there’s been a thread on this question. I’ll track back and read it from the beginning, but the question is interesting. In the Death and Immortality course we’ve touched on suicide here and there, mostly when … Continue reading

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Suicides in India

Another epidemic it seems. This time of “genuine” suicides as opposed to “suicide bombers”. “Young people see this as a way to give meaning to what seem like meaningless lives,” said Sudhir Kakar, a prominent psychoanalyst and novelist who has … Continue reading

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