Death

Death (/dĕth/) is an extremely severe medical condition characterized by a complete cessation of the biological functions necessary to sustain life. The condition affects all of the body’s organic systems, including neurological, endocrine, cardio-pulmonary, digestive and renal. It is by definition permanent, irreversible and fatal. There is no known treatment or cure. Shortly after the condition begins, the process of decomposition commences throughout the body. Despite its severe impact upon quality of life, death appears to be an inevitable condition that can be expected to occur in all living organisms. At the current time over 150,000 people are afflicted with the condition each and every day.

A complete understanding of death’s mechanics and processes has eluded humankind’s greatest minds since the dawn of time, and many difficult questions remain unresolved concerning the ultimate consequences of contracting the condition. First among these is that of the ultimate disposition of the energetic force¹ that formerly animated the body prior to the onset of symptoms.

To date very little empirical evidence has been identified which can provide any illumination on this or the many other questions surrounding death and its consequences. As a result, a significant portion of the world population have expressed at least some degree of fear or concern regarding their own potential for contracting the condition.

In the absence of any such evidence, most scholars have relied upon either philosophy or theology in their efforts to provide answers to some of humankind’s most fundamental questions. Most of the world’s cultures and religions attempt to address these pressing issues. Many put forth the concept of an afterlife, allowing a person’s spirit to live on in a metaphysical way. Most also include some concept of judgment for worldly actions, with the promise of a supernatural reward or punishment based upon that judgment.

Symptoms

Symptoms strongly indicating the presence of the condition include:

• Inability to move or follow simple commands
• Cardiac arrest
• Lack of respiration
• Cessation of neurological activity in the brain
• Paleness
• Reduced body temperature
• Stiffness of limbs
• Putrefaction and decomposition

Causes

The causes of death are as innumerable and varied as the mind might conceive. Among the chief causes of death are diseases, both communicable and otherwise. External causes such as physical trauma are also major contributors to the world’s daily human death toll.

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¹ This force has been referred to variously a life force, consciousness, the spirit and the soul.

Death

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Other Names:

Demise, Expiration, Passing

The Fleetingness of Life

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Common

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^{Image Credits:
Hendrick Andriessen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons}