Death? Yeah, Marcus Aurelius is basically like, "Whatever."
As with other unpleasant things in life, Marcus sees death in Meditations as a purely practical concern: it's a built-in part of human nature, and it's mandated by the gods for the benefit of the entire universe. Without death, humans couldn't contribute their base elements back to the substance of the universe, and the Whole couldn't renew itself or fashion new life. The greatest recycling program ever created would grind to a screeching halt.
Basically, Marcus is a great remedy for the gross and boring existence we face on earth. And while the loss of family, friends, colleagues, kids, and mentors may seem like a blow, it won't be long, Marcus says, until you're gone, too. And the people who will mourn you. It may be tough on the individual psyche, but it's good for the universe.
So suck it up, buttercup. There'll be no existential whining here.
Questions About Mortality
- Why does Marcus believe that death should not be feared?
- What role do the gods have in human mortality?
- How does Marcus deal with the mortality of children?
- Why does Marcus say that the death of the individual is a good thing for the universe?
Chew on This
Marcus's concern for his own death is concealed in his protestations that death is just no big deal.
Marcus doesn't know what the afterlife will hold for him, which is fine with him—as long as it isn't total oblivion. Right?