We have an inauthentic disposition toward death: living “as though” the next moment won’t be denied us, though it certainly might get denied. How we decide about this inevitability transforms our life. Heidegger comments:

Death, as the extremity of the “there,” is at the same time what is innermost to a possible complete transformation of the “there.” Also lying in this is a reference to the deepest essence of nothingness … It would certainly be easy to account for what has just been said about death by fitting that into the untested, everyday notions of the “end” and “nothingness” instead of doing the opposite, i.e., learning to surmise how, with the steadfast and transporting incorporation of death into the “there,” the essence of the “end” and of “nothingness” must be transformed… Running ahead toward death is not the same as willing nothingness in the usual sense; on the contrary, it is the highest Da-sein, the one that incorporates the concealedness of the “there” into the steadfastness of enduring the truth. (Heidegger, Martin. Contributions to Philosophy (Of the Event) (Studies in Continental Thought) (p. 257). Indiana University Press. Kindle Edition).

In relation to the inevitability and unknown timing of death we can have a philosophy of carpe diem (seize the day). What would be the ancient opposite philosophy toward death of such carpe diem? The ancient opposite of carpe diem (seize the day), which embraces living fully in the present due to death’s inevitability and unpredictability, would be a philosophy of detachment or acceptance, often associated with Stoicism or certain Eastern traditions like Buddhism. These philosophies emphasize preparing for death by cultivating indifference to fleeting pleasures, accepting mortality as a natural process, and focusing on inner tranquility or virtue over immediate gratification.

Opposite Philosophy: Stoic Acceptance

Stoicism, particularly in ancient Roman thought (e.g., Marcus Aurelius, Seneca), advocates for memento mori—a constant awareness of death that encourages living virtuously and calmly accepting its inevitability. Rather than seizing fleeting moments for pleasure, Stoics prioritize self-discipline, reason, and aligning oneself with the natural order, viewing death as neither good nor evil but simply part of existence. The focus is on preparing for death by living a life of moral integrity, not chasing ephemeral joys.

Example Situation: Facing a Terminal Illness Diagnosis

Carpe Diem Approach: A person diagnosed with a terminal illness might adopt a carpe diem mindset, deciding to make the most of their remaining time by pursuing intense experiences—traveling to dream destinations, indulging in favorite foods, or spending every moment with loved ones. They might say, “I don’t know how much time I have left, so I’m going to live every day to the fullest, chasing joy and adventure.” Eat, drink, and be merry, put no trust in the morrow.

Stoic Acceptance Approach: A Stoic facing the same diagnosis would focus on maintaining inner peace and living according to virtue, regardless of time left. They might reflect daily on death (memento mori), accept the diagnosis as beyond their control, and focus on what they can control: their thoughts, actions, and how they treat others. They might say, “Death is natural; I will live each day with dignity, kindness, and reason, neither fearing nor rushing to exhaust life’s pleasures.”

While carpe diem seeks to maximize immediate experiences in light of death’s uncertainty, Stoic acceptance prepares for death by cultivating a life of steady virtue and detachment from transient desires. Human life is an oscillation between these two poles of the spectrum of being-toward-death.