Everyone Deserves A Good Death

In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death. He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world. Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death. He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash.

In this seminal work, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross delves into the emotional and psychological experiences of terminally ill patients through extensive interviews and conversations. The book introduces the now-famous five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It challenges the medical culture of the time by emphasizing the importance of listening to and supporting the unique experiences and needs of dying patients. The book has had a profound impact on clinical practice, contributing to the development of hospice and palliative care, and has transformed how society approaches conversations about death and dying.