Fear of death explored

Mortals: How the fear of death shaped human society By Rachel E Menzies and Ross G Menzies, Allen & Unwin, $39.99 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Now that's a cheerful subject — we already know from childhood that we're all headed towards death.

And that is what has shaped how our society has developed. Dr Rachel Menzies and Professor Ross Menzies are psychologists who have focused their work on death anxiety and human response to death all over the world and throughout history.

They say the fear of death drives most of our species' endeavours over millennia. It drives us to create enduring art, architecture and literature — a legacy once we're gone. It has also driven us to overpopulate, and driven global warming as we consume voraciously.

Religion has been a necessity for many to tolerate the fact of their mortality — a belief in a better life beyond. The Menzies also suggest we should just enjoy our fleeting time in the sun.

Even little ones have a concept of death. My little grandson at six was entirely practical when I gave him his grandpa's Matchbox cars collection. “Grandpa doesn't need his cars any more because he's dead, eh Grandma?”

He understood that Grandpa wouldn't need the trappings and delights of play now. The children understand mortality all too well. It's just we adults who struggle with the concept of being no more.