Edith Wyschogrod discusses the evolution of philosophical thinking about death from ancient to modern times, claiming that death has always been a catalyst for philosophical thinking. She contends that twentieth-century bureaucracy and technology have led to new kinds of man-made, mass death, forcing existentialists and other philosophers to confront unique problems concerning death.
At the time of this interview, Wyschogrod, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1980-81), was professor of philosophy at Queens College, City University of New York.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
