A Philosophy of Grief | Mikołaj Sławkowski-Rode, PhD

The Doctor's Art

Death and grief are much more “hidden” from society today than they once were. The medicalization of dying means that death now occurs more frequently in hospitals and care facilities than at homes. The secularization of society means that traditional religious or communal rituals surrounding death and mourning have diminished. The fast pace and optimistic lens of consumer culture means less contemplation of aging, mortality, and grief.

But Mikołaj Sławkowski-Rode, PhD, a professor of philosophy at the University of Warsaw and research fellow at Oxford University, argues that experiences of mourning and grief are crucial to the human condition. They allow us to foster empathy and connect with others’ suffering. They encourage us to reflect on how we value life, relationships, and the responsibilities we have towards others, both living and deceased. They revitalize communal rituals and practices, creating a sense of shared humanity.

Professor Sławkowski-Rode has written widely on the philosophical and ethical dimensions of mourning, grief, and memory, and his works have appeared in The New York Times as well as various academic publications. Over the course of our conversation, we discuss the nature of grief as a multifaceted emotional response, extending beyond a psychological state and reaching into existential realms; the role of memory in the grieving process; why love and grief are fundamentally inseparable; how the atomization of modern society affects our ability to mourn; and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

3:20 - The focus of Sławkowski-Rode’s current work and what his day looks like as a philosopher

8:10 - The value of philosophy in society

12:42 - How Sławkowski-Rode became inspired to study grief

14:57 - Why grief has become more “hidden” in society over the past century

23:49 - How the “cult of individuality” leads our society to ignore aging and death

33:45 - How Sławkowski-Rode defines “human flourishing”

36:31 - How the atomization of modern society affects our ability to mourn

50:00 - Practical advices for clinicians on how to navigate grief and mourning for themselves and their patients

Mikołaj Sławkowski-Rode is the author of the New York Times op ed It’s OK to Never ‘Get Over’ Your Grief and numerous academic publications.

Dr. Sławkowski-Rode can be found on Twitter/X at @MikolajRode.

Works and past episodes discussed:

The Hours of Our Death by Philipe Aries

Episode 21: Pain, Pleasure and Finding the Balance | Anna Lembke, MD

Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.

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