Leon Kass 'Mortality As A Blessing'

Mortality as a Blessing

RECONSTRUCTION

Leon Kass argues that our mortality is a blessing for the “welfare of the community”, and for individuals themselves (150). To make his argument, Kass considers three general questions. First, Kass considers the question of boredom and tedium. He argues that if the human life-span were to be increased, people would get bored with the pleasant and fulfilling activities that they once enjoyed (151). Second, Kass considers the question of seriousness. He argues that life may no longer be serious or meaningful if people no longer have a reason to live a passionate life. The final matter that Kass considers is the matter of beauty, both of natural beauty, and the beauty of “character, virtue, and moral excellence” (152). He argues that making human life last longer may in some ways, destroy that beauty.

Along with considering these three general questions, Kass also makes the argument that human beings long for “some goal toward which earthly activities are directed but which cannot be attained during earthly life” (152). In other words, Kass argues that humans cannot satisfy their deepest desires in earthly life. He instead argues that prolonging earthly life only delays the day where humans can satisfy those desires. By considering the questions of boredom, seriousness, and beauty,

Kass discusses the questions of boredom, seriousness, and beauty. Most people can relate to, and have even experienced a problem that relates to one of these three questions in their life. In general people struggle with the question of what makes their life meaningful. Therefore, his readers can understand why Kass may believe that making human life last longer may only add to the issues at hand. By simplifying his argument, and relating to his audience, Kass makes his argument that mortality is good for us, more