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Picture of Xavier Symons

Xavier Symons

Xavier is a bioethicist and Director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at the Australian Catholic University. His research interests include ethical issues at the beginning and end of life, conscientious objection, ethical issues in aged care, and the philosophy of well-being. He has been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and holds degrees from the University of Sydney, the University of Oxford, and the Australian Catholic University.

end of life

Flourishing at the End of Life

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Dying is part of life, but most people dread their final days. The end of life, which often takes the form of protracted terminal illness, can involve significant pain and suffering as well as functional limits in day-to-day living. Is it still possible for human beings to flourish at the end of life?
Memento Mori painting by William Michael Harnett

The End of the Pandemic

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Perhaps the end of the pandemic is not a matter of eliminating COVID-19 but rather coming to terms with our own mortality. We need to learn how to survive and thrive in the pandemic, even as we try to mitigate the effects of the virus. For guidance, we can turn to Tolstoy’s Ivan Ilyich, who was delivered from his anxious, tormented bondage by conquering his fear of death and adopting selfless concern for others.
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