Why don't we want to die?

You suddenly stopped breathing. As if out of nowhere. A sudden swallow or clearing of the throat and everything is silent. You panic and don't know what is happening or what you should do. At the same time, you are glad that there is no last gasp, that it is such a peaceful end. That you have coped so well. You can pretend you are not afraid, but of course you are. You’re scared and why shouldn’t you be? You only have one life.

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Charity · 70-79

Because I believe in a higher power in the Creator in the entity we call God. Because I believe his spirit is eternal and the spirits / souls within the human bodies are eternal also and are of him.

The fear of death comes from the subconscious - knowing that we are eternal beings and the idea of ceasing to exist is fearful. That is why Jesus said don't fear him who can destroy the body but fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. A concept that majority of Christians, Muslims, Jews believe.

Others who believe in a different type of religion also has the concept that the spirit is eternal and go from one plain of existence to another, and fear still lingers with the idea of death.

Isn't it odd animals don't fear death, do they even know what death is?

sree251 · 41-45, M

@Charity

Isn't it odd animals don't fear death, do they even know what death is?

Great question.

First of all, are human beings not a form of animal also? Other forms of animal suffer bodily pain too.

Secondly, other animals avoid bodily pain. They avoid physical danger not through act of will but dictate of nature. Prey animals run from predators just as water flows downhill. I don't think they flee because they are afraid of pain or death.

Do other animals know what death is? I doubt that they do. As you pointed out, death is an idea. Therefore, they would have no idea what you are talking about.

Charity · 70-79

@sree251

We all know, if not almost know that humans are animals mammals of the species. And generally when a writer are speaker refers to an animal there are generally not referring to humans / no need to be literally correct in that aspect.

My comment was not about pain, my comment was about death.

All pain does not lead to death.

You see most people know that breathing things (not trees - trees and plants and such do not breathe) insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, fowls feel pain or some form of it.

Most people know but most animals have a form of intelligence, they think, and those that don't think rely on instinct.

So I'm not for sure how you associate pain with my statement concerning animals don't know what death is. But you did say you don't if they do.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@Charity

My comment was not about pain, my comment was about death.

All pain does not lead to death.

True. The body can die during sleep.

So I'm not for sure how you associate pain with my statement concerning animals don't know what death is. But you did say you don't if they do.

I pointed to pain because we fear it just as we fear death. I don't think animals experience fear at all.

Charity · 70-79

@sree251 people that I've known in my life including myself don't fear pain. We don't want to experience it because of the hurt but it's not fear - it's disliking, sometimes even hating depending on the degree of pain.

Then there are those that do fear pain
Algophobia (Fear of Pain): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment https://share.google/t4YfZTVL1pltUhzCD

And I cannot agree that people fear pain just like they fear death.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@Charity

people that I've known in my life including myself don't fear pain. We don't want to experience it because of the hurt but it's not fear - it's disliking, sometimes even hating depending on the degree of pain.

Come on, Charity. You don't fear pain? We need to define what "fear" is. I don't want to split hairs to determine what fear is. You don't want to experience it because of the hurt, you say. What do you mean by "don't want"? If you are held down by me by tying you to a chair and I proceed to pry your mouth open to pull out your teeth, what would you feel? Hate? Or is it intense dislike? Ok, if that is how you want to call it. In a court of law, the judge would over-rule you for being argumentative.

Then there are those that do fear pain
Algophobia (Fear of Pain): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment https://share.google/t4YfZTVL1pltUhzCD

This refers to an abnormal condition. One abnormal condition is the fear of God.

And I cannot agree that people fear pain just like they fear death.

People fear pain because they know that the experience is unpleasant. Nobody has experienced death, a state of permanent erasure of you.

Charity · 70-79

@sree251

If you hold me down, tie me to a chair, find my mouth open and start pulling my teeth out / if you are a dentist no I don't have any fear but if you are all serial killer I will fear that you will take my life.

SUCH AN EXTREME ANALOGY

And trying to call me a liar on the sly.

And you can't predict what a judge will do - the judge not a jury nor you have a proof that I don't fear pain person.

If you feel pain that's your business.

I don't and like I said the people I've known don't fear pain.

I had to add: I know exactly what the link I gave was about, that fear of pain is BASED on chronic illnesses.

This link tells you people's ""perception"" of pain is different and how they experience it is different what you seem to miss in the other link.

Psychogenic Pain: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/12056-pain-psychogenic-pain

Fear of pain is not universal
Ouch! The Not So Universal Experience Of Pain https://share.google/8xlceQXmIRCYZm3yU