Traditional to Modern (How Dying is Portrayed)
“Death is unavoidably part of our lives. Not thinking or not talking about death doesn’t remove us from its power.” (Lynne Ann Despelder 41) When it comes to death and dying there have been many changes throughout the last millennium. The transition from traditional practices to modern practices brought a lot of different aspects to the views of this topic. Traditionally death was a part of life, it was natural and not stressed upon. The transition from the land of living to the world of the dead was easy for people, and everyone made the dying process easy for their loved ones. Often times when a family member would be on their deathbed they would be surrounded with family while they were in the comfort of their own home, …show more content…
Death now is more of a time of pain and questioning. After the loved one has passed it is no longer a public gathering or a celebration of their life, but more of a time to mourn in the loss.
Although at first the definition of death may seem obvious, but it is deeper and can be unraveled. According to the book, there are four approaches to defining death: irreversible loss of flow of vital fluids, irreversible loss of the soul from the body, irreversible loss of the capacity for bodily integration, and irreversible loss of the capacity of consciousness of social interaction. These four basic approaches to defining death are the basic stepping stones in knowing death has happened, and the beginning steps for loved ones to move on to acceptance in today’s world. When it comes to irreversible loss of flow of vital fluids there is some controversy due to modern technology verses traditional loss of vitals. Today technology is so advanced that there are machines that can keep your heart beating for you, and can keep all of your other organs functioning as well, even though they would not be without the help of the machines. Before technology, when ones brain, heart,
“Death is unavoidably part of our lives. Not thinking or not talking about death doesn’t remove us from its power.” (Lynne Ann Despelder 41) When it comes to death and dying there have been many changes throughout the last millennium. The transition from traditional practices to modern practices brought a lot of different aspects to the views of this topic. Traditionally death was a part of life, it was natural and not stressed upon. The transition from the land of living to the world of the dead was easy for people, and everyone made the dying process easy for their loved ones. Often times when a family member would be on their deathbed they would be surrounded with family while they were in the comfort of their own home, …show more content…
Death now is more of a time of pain and questioning. After the loved one has passed it is no longer a public gathering or a celebration of their life, but more of a time to mourn in the loss.
Although at first the definition of death may seem obvious, but it is deeper and can be unraveled. According to the book, there are four approaches to defining death: irreversible loss of flow of vital fluids, irreversible loss of the soul from the body, irreversible loss of the capacity for bodily integration, and irreversible loss of the capacity of consciousness of social interaction. These four basic approaches to defining death are the basic stepping stones in knowing death has happened, and the beginning steps for loved ones to move on to acceptance in today’s world. When it comes to irreversible loss of flow of vital fluids there is some controversy due to modern technology verses traditional loss of vitals. Today technology is so advanced that there are machines that can keep your heart beating for you, and can keep all of your other organs functioning as well, even though they would not be without the help of the machines. Before technology, when ones brain, heart,