Study Questions

  1. In what sense does Nagel think that death is bad? What is his argument for this conclusion? Do you find the argument convincing? Why or why not?
  2. How does Nagel respond to the objection that nothing can be good or bad for a person unless it is experienced as unpleasant? What are the broader implications of his response for the way we think about benefits and harms? Do you find his account plausible?
  3. What is the asymmetry objection to the claim that death is bad for us? How does Nagel respond to this objection? Is his response successful in defusing the objection? Defend your answer.
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