Does philosophising about life and death help an individual overcome the hardship of life's complexities?

This article examines how philosophising about life and death, particularly through Eastern traditions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, can help individuals navigate hardship, suffering, and existential uncertainty by fostering resilience and meaning. It highlights the role of life and death education—comprising life education, which focuses on quality of life and personal growth, and death education, which addresses mortality, grief, and ethical care at the end of life—in cultivating a "contented self" characterized by transcendence, belief, and acceptance. The authors argue that higher-order philosophical reflection, combined with practical applications like mindfulness, journaling, artistic expression, and compassionate social engagement, supports emotional wellbeing and personal transformation. While acknowledging limitations related to the abstract nature of philosophical discourse and cultural variability, the article advocates integrating life and death education into broader pedagogical frameworks to better prepare individuals for life's complexities.