S5 Ep4: A philosopher’s guide to death with Simon Critchley

Simon Critchley is a renowned philosopher at the New School for Social Research in New York. Simon teaches the popular course "Critchley on Tragedy," and has been recognised as one of the top 25 most influential philosophers today.

Simon delves into his fascinating life story, including his early years in Hertfordshire, a life-changing accident, and his journey into philosophy. He shares insights from his book, The Book of Dead Philosophers, which examines how the deaths of 190 philosophers reflect their lives and ideas.

Join us as Simon recounts some intriguing tales, such as Pythagoras's peculiar death and Jeremy Bentham's posthumous display at University College London. He discusses the therapeutic side of philosophy and how confronting our mortality can lead to greater freedom, compassion, and understanding.

Tune in for an episode filled with humour, deep reflections on mortality, and the wisdom that philosophy can offer in understanding life and death.

Find out more about Simon his book here: https://www.simoncritchley.org/

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Support resources: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/

This episode of The Life and Death podcast was produced by Olivia Swift and it’s a Reform Radio production.