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Historical Perspectives on Attitudes concerning Death and Dying - Coggle…
Historical Perspectives on Attitudes concerning
Death and Dying
Primitive
Process of dying was painful and rapid
Basic medical practises and inadequate defences against predators
They believed that death was due to an accidental and unnatural occurence --> therefore it was feared
They transition to pre-death rituals and funeral practices
Pre-Literate
focused on the dead and their affects of living
There were 2 divides of how society viewed death
Honoring the deceased
Memories of the dead were kept alive
through memorials rituals and stories
Feared the deceased
Believed they were a threat of harm
The dead person was never acknowledged by the living
Ancient
Early Greek History, people believed that spirits of the dead continued beyond death
Burial practices reflected a belief in life after death
Archaeological discoveries of ancient Egyptain, Greek, Roman and American Indian have shown the importance of preparing the deceased for the afterlife
Revealed the dead surrounded by artifacts --> for them to use in life and expected in the afterlife
Post-Antiquity
Philippe Aries identified 3 periods of development concerning the understang of death in Western culture
6th to 12th century
Death was accepted as the destiny of humans
Viewed as either the escape from life troubles or leaving pleasures of life
Due to the lack of medical skills and knowledge, peple thought death was a common occurance --> since they was no way to prevent diseases, injuries etc.
12th to 17th century
Accepted knowledge began to change
Religious thought and influence began scientific reasoning
17th to 19th century
Death began to overshadow the individuals perception or their own death
Death was romanticised, displayed as human companion in art and literature
19th to 20th century
modern Western culture began to view death as a fearful occurence
Fear of death worsened, reducing confidence in religious doctrines regarding death
Scientific advances have caused many people to lose touch with relgious and cultural beliefs/practices
Attitudes towards death change significantly
Modernity
The advancement of science and technology has influenced how people approach death
Process of dying has been affected by advances in pharmacology, medical practices and medical treatment
Advances in medication have reduced much of the physical pain associated with dying
The dying are often reomved from familiar surroundings of their homes and in hospitals and nursing homes
Dying person is often removed from the family and are in hands of health car professionals
Dying often took place at ome in the care of family members, however many people have lost touch in death
Increased awareness of death has resulted in advances in medical science and services to the dying and elderly
Many modern Westerners fear the extinction of their lives and unknown nature of life after death
Science can define death and make the process of dying less painful
Science reasoning has no explanation regarding what happens after death, besides the deterioration of the physical body