John Martin Fischer

This collection of seventeen pieces focuses on the philosophical, rather than the moral, aspects of death. The writers, for example, analyze (among other things) what makes death a horrible thing for a person, if death is actually a bad thing. This is a more fundamental and abstract issue than moral questions like the specific circumstances in which euthanasia is permissible, assuming it is ever justified.

This book sets out to argue how real are near-death experiences. The book has a very philosophical mode to it. At times this can be frustrating when talking about a topic which is so subjective in nature. The authors want to pronounce judgment on what other say or believe, where to my mind there is no answer. They have something of a physicalist bias, so the supernatural case is unable to come through.

Still pertinent for today's issues.