Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy

Philosophical and ethical dimension of death in Ambrose of Mediolanus’ De Bono Mortis: Defining death as a good

Mariia Smetaniak
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Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the interpretation of death as a moral and spiritual phenomenon that has a positive meaning for a believer. The study analysed the definition of death as a moral and spiritual phenomenon in early Christian theology, in particular through the teachings of Ambrose of Mediolanus. The study analysed the theological, philosophical and ethical aspects of the understanding of death in the Christian tradition, traces their connection with ancient philosophical doctrines, especially Stoicism and Neoplatonism, and compares them with modern bioethical concepts. The moral aspect of death as a means of purification, spiritual perfection and transition to eternal existence was addressed. The study determined that Ambrose of Mediolanus viewed death not only as an inevitable biological process but also as a necessary condition for the liberation of the soul from bodily passions and approach to God. One of the main conclusions was that the concept of death in the Christian tradition differs from secular and philosophical approaches in that it is defined not as the end of existence, but as a transition to true being. Ambrose emphasised that fear of death is a consequence of insufficient faith and moral immaturity and that proper spiritual preparation highlights it as a good. The study determined that such interpretation of death as a means of purification and return to God has parallels with Neoplatonic ideas about the soul, which must be freed from the material world to achieve a higher reality. The analysis of the historical context has shown that the concept of death in early Christian theology was formed at the intersection of ancient philosophical traditions and biblical ideas about life after death. The practical significance of the results obtained lies in the possibility of applying the concept of death developed by Ambrose in modern theological, philosophical and ethical discourse

Keywords

christianity; theology; eschatology; stoicism; asceticism; Neoplatonic ideas; morality

Suggested citation
Smetaniak, M. (2025). Philosophical and ethical dimension of death in Ambrose of Mediolanus’ De Bono Mortis: Defining death as a good. Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, 13(2), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.31548/hspedagog/2.2025.73
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