Existential triump: An analysis on the death of a significant other

Date of Publication

1995

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Philosophy

Abstract/Summary

This study, entitled Existentialism Triump: An Analysis on the Death of a Significant Other , directs itself to the question: How can one existentially go through the death of a significant other? Thus, it aims to analyze the experience of the death of a significant other or a loved one in the light of Existentialism, with reference to John Macquarrie's three basic structures of existence: transcendence, uniqueness and self-relatedness, particularly, authenticity.The significant other, as distinct from simply the Other, is one with whom the I has a very intimate relationship--a spiritual attachment or bonding. And the most immediate representative of the significant other is the family where in the members are more than just juxta-posed and biologically related existents. They are the ones who introduce an individual to the world and who help her establish the foundations for her existential project. However, as everyone in this world is subject to temporality and thus, to death, there will be a time when one experiences the loss of a loved one in death.Death, in an existential analysis, is the human existent's ownmost, non-relational, inevitable and indefinite end. It is where one gets to reach her wholeness as an existent of innumerable possibilities. But as one dies, her empirical contact with the world, with things, with other human existents and even with herself is cut-off. Thus, our only experience of death is the death of another person.In the death of a loved one, one would, more often than not, experience the fusing up of certain emotions, such as weakeness, insecurity, denial, anger and guilt.Existential triumph requires of a bereaved individual that she should let go of these emotions, and that she should go beyond the situation and what the situation has brought her. In the course of this experience, one procures unique realizations as she had developed a unique relationship or attachment with the departed. As she realizes what she had contributed to their relationship, she also gets to reflect on herself, being more aware of the nature of death. Thus, she is directed towards living her life to the fullest and doing things that would contribute in the attainment of her existential wholeness.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TU07247

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

70 leaves

Keywords

Existentialism; Death; Existential phenomenology; Transcendence (Philosophy)

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