Excerpt: Teaching Philosophy - An Abstract View

“Death is beautiful.” It was Long-hair’s turn to be stared at, and he started ticking off points on his fingers. “You can’t have life without death, and life is beautiful, so death enables life. Autumn is beautiful, because of all the different coloured leaves, and that’s the essence of death. Leaves fall and die, so the trees look like skeletons. And rot and decomposition must be beautiful, because that’s the essence of life. When the old creature dies, insects and animals start feeding on it and growing inside it, and that’s the creation of new life.”
There was a long pause, then the teacher cleared his throat. “Okay, then. I’m renaming you Morbid. Congratulations.”
Morbid blinked in surprise. “But it’s true.”
“It probably is, but very few people think about it that deeply.”
Asia didn’t seem to be able to pry his eyes from Morbid. “That means that life and death make up a continuous circle, one leading into the other.”
“The dance of the gods,” Morbid agreed with a small smile. “Shishigami, the god of life and Shinigami, the god of death.”
“You know a lot about Japanese mythology?”
“Sure.” Morbid grinned at Asia. “Quite a bit.”
“So, any other views?” Teacher looked around the class hopefully.
“They’re universal constants,” Pale said suddenly. “There will always be life, and there will always be death.”
“The saying, I believe, is ‘life will find a way’, and death will follow after.” He nodded. “Anyone else?”
“Life isn’t important.”
“Oh?” Teacher raised an eyebrow at Goth. “And why would you say that?”
“It’s so fragile. People can die like that.” She snapped her fingers, making a few of the other people in the room flinch. “Since it can end so easily, it has no real value at all.”
“So life is cheap. Does this mean we should spend it freely?”
“No!” All eyes turned to Africa. The horrified expression didn’t fade from her face. “Life is a great gift. You should make the most of it! Your existence isn’t something to be casually tossed aside, or used or spent or earned! Yes, it’s short, but you don’t have anything else! There is nothing beyond your life!” She realized that they were all staring at her, and lowered her head.
“True, again. Well, unless you believe in a god, or some kind of deity or reincarnation cycle.” He nodded slightly. “Very good, important point.”
“I agree,” Redhead added quietly. “Life is important. It’s all that matters. Existence and life are beautiful.”
“And therefore death is beautiful,” Asia muttered bitterly. Morbid pretended not to notice.
Streaks tossed her hair back in a movement calculated to bring all attention in the room to her. “I don’t know. Maybe. But life is what you make of it, right? What if you, like, mess it up?”
“Then you’ve lost it.” Asia shrugged. “Goodbye, good luck, no second chances.”
“Not ever,” Morbid muttered.