How I nearly kicked the bucket and stumbled into a new phenomenological understanding of the meaning of life: the consolation of philosophy, psychoanalysis and the arts

摘要

Where is the meaning in illness? How can a realisation of my own mortality make life worth living? My experience of surviving ALL, living with fatigue, compromised immunity and frequent illness has been difficult, physically, socially and psychologically. Since retirement, I have struggled to find meaning in my life and experienced depression, anxiety and hopelessness. Artists - writers, musicians, etc - have long contemplated these questions as have the great philosophers. They are a rich source of wisdom for the cancer survivor. From Tolstoy's'The Death of Ivan llyich'to Alain de Botton's 'Status Anxiety', there is much consolation to be found.