Original Ars Moriendi Panel
In original ars moriendi books, the second panel or section was often about the Temptation of “despairing” in the face of death and fearing “damnation.”
Modern Context
In a more modern context, and regardless of one’s views on spirituality and religion, fear of what comes after death is still common – and reasonable! Those facing death in the 1400’s lived in a world more ubiquitously focused on heaven vs. hell. If you have a personal spiritual leaning, what does that framework teach you about what comes after death? If you do not, how do you really feel about notions of death and what might come after? While humanity’s views on this vary across time and culture, a belief in some sort of afterlife is very common. With modern science, many conclude this notion is irrelevant and medical knowledge can define things like “brain death.” However, even that is an assertion of faith because science cannot, by definition, measure “beyond death.” Hopefully it doesn’t ruin your day, but sit with that for a moment.