Some think that death robs life of all meaning. Yet others think that death is what gives life meaning. Is either claim true? Does the fact that we are going to die affect the way we should live at all?  Would it be better if certain aspects of death were different? For example, would it be better if we knew how much longer we had before we were going to die? (Would you want to know?) Would it be better if there were certain times or activities during which you couldn't die at all? Would it be better if none of us knew we were going to die? 

We cannot do anything about the fact that we are going to die, but thinking about death may teach us some lessons about what is or should be important to us.

Shelly Kagan, Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, will explore these questions and the meaning we derive from mortality on Friday, October 17 at 4 p.m. in Gore Hall, Room 103. Kagan’s lecture, “Death and the Meaning of Life” is the Fall 2025 installment of the Department of Philosophy’s David Norton Memorial Lecture.

This event is free and open to the public. Reception to follow.

This lecture is sponsored by the David Norton Memorial Fund honoring the late UD Philosophy Professor. Visit the Norton Memorial Lecture webpage to learn more about previous speakers and lectures.