Prof. dr Radomir Videnović
University of Nis
Faculty of Philosophy

DEATH AS A MEASURE OF LIFE

Abstract

Death is life's word and the end of personal existence. But still, death is neither the ending of life nor the absolution of moral responsibility. That is why it is possible to realize the meaning of life precisely in relation to the limit of life – death. Thus, death is the key to the definition of a life a direction and tending to create and realize the meaning of life. "Ethics out of death" can grasp the whole of life precisely because it is on the border of life, outside of life – out of death. We spend our entire life between love and death. Love resists death and turns it into an act of creation. The highest moral act is sacrifice, a conscious and willing self/sacrificing which establishes an order of value and renews and gives rise to the community.

Key words: death, "manning" (humaning), freedom, ethics, responsibility, God, sacrifice.