A 97-Year-Old Philosopher Faces His Own Death

I'm now 87 years old. My wife passed several years ago and my children and grandchildren are all grown up, very busy and getting on with life. I'm still fairly mobile and have a circle of old guys as friends. We do community projects by building things like outdoor benches for the local park, wheelchair ramps, bird houses, vegetable garden boxes, fix kids bikes, serve lunch at the local public school, etc. It feels great to give back to the community and regain a sense of worth. I really enjoy the camaraderie with my friends. The Dalai Lama was once asked if he feared death. "No, he replied, I don't fear death, I'm afraid of dying!" And I have to agree with him. One of my friends died in his sleep a few months age. The response from the fellows? "Lucky bastard!" A slow lingering death has to be at the top of the worst things list. I enjoyed Herbert's sudden observation of trees, the wind and birds, etc. This is happening to me as I slowly turn inwards and begin to pay attention to small happenings around me. I'm like a 5 year old, laying on my back in the grass and watching clouds go by, finding faces in the white fluffy stuff; hearing and watching birds and small animals scurrying through the underbrush. And of course the guilt and remorse of suddenly realizing that what I'm doing now, what I'm paying attention to now, is something I should have been doing all my life. I don't know if I'm afraid of death or not. I've thought about it lately and don't have an answer. I really don't want to pass on because I love and enjoy my children and grandchildren so very much. I have regrets about what could have been and realize I won't be around when all the new science and discoveries become a reality. But then I realize what the Buddhists say about ego. Dropping the ego and staying in the moment is the secret of life. Do no harm to ALL living creatures and be kind to others. As you can see, the video of Herbert Fingarette has had an impact on me, so had to put my feelings in print. May all of you stay safe and may all of you have happiness.

"I wish I had argued more online" said nobody ever on his deathbed.

For people wondering, he died November 2, 2018, at the age of 97, in Berkeley, California.

MY MOM IS 90 SHE IS SLOWING DOWN AND I KNOW THE END IS NEAR SHE IS THE BEST MOM A SON COULD EVER HAVE

It’s impossible to explain to young people how it feels to wake up and realize: I’m 97 years old. But my mind is still 45.

“In my arrogance, I thought that I could conquer death with logic. But now I know that I only used logic to suppress my fear of death.”

"Half of me is gone”. Those words hit close to home. I lost my identical twin brother unexpectedly three years ago at 51 yeas old, almost half the age of this lonely man. To say we were close doesn't even remotely tell the story, there are no words to describe us. My heart hurts, from losing my twin brother and for this man..

The grandson did a good job making this documentary. Knowing his grandfather is an accomplished philosopher and author, it is meaningful to record his final days. Touching and a sad sense of peace. True love❤ he missed his life-long companion. “We worked together. Traveled together.” A dignified gentleman and scholar🎉

Thanks to the caregiver here, and to all caregivers, for doing this necessary and decent and underpaid work. You make all the difference.

"Do not be afraid of getting older for it is a privilege denied to many"

My father died when he was 70. I will always remember him telling me "I look in the mirror and think, 'Who is this old man?' I don't feel old in my head....I still feel the same in my head as I did when I was 20"

Herbert Fingarette - Born: 20 January 1921, Brooklyn, New York; Died: 2 November 2018 (age 97 years), Berkeley, California. RIP.

I think his mental acuity at his age is the most impressive thing

I was taking care of an old lady, who always forgets that her husband died and starts crying whenever she realizes. I never know what to say but cry with her.

I’m 32, saved this video years ago and it popped back up on my feed. Watch it again. This time I immediately went out and bought his two books. I’m honored to house them on my bookshelf. I’ll read them over and over for years to come. Rest in peace sir, and thanks for the knowledge.

In other words…..it doesn’t matter how old you are you never understand death. Always remember that you aren’t the first to die and you’ll be just fine. Remember you are not special, maybe no more special than a leaf that dies. You will be alive again and you may never actually die. I believe we all will be just fine. God put bad people on this earth to give us something to complain about, to fear, to make us stronger and to give us something to do. You didn’t ask for this life, you just came into it. No guilt necessary just do as much as you can today and when you wake up tomorrow repeat! I love you all.

I just love that this video is made by his grandson..

My father told me just before he passed”Don’t worry about dying.Dying is easy,Living is hard.I find comfort in that because my father would not lie to me.He said that for a reason.

"but half of me is gone" The unbearable pain of losing someone is a good reason to be single.