Abstract:The cultural differences between China and the west can be seen in many aspects. Among them, there must have the differences of view on death. This thesis is going to analyze the cultural differences of China and the west from the perspective of view on death.

Death is the event that everyone has to experience at the end of his life. However, for various reasons, most people in many societies throughout history have found that they are unwilling to mention it. When facing death, everyone has his own view and attitude, or view on death.

In this thesis, the author explains the meaning of death and view on death at first. Second, introduces the respective views on death of China and the west. The view on death of China tends to be avoidant and dread, while that of the west tends to be accepted although they are also afraid. Third, two concrete demonstrations which reflect the different views on death are given. At last, the author analyzes factors causing different death views. 

Keywords: view on death  cultural difference  death euphemism  death education

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction1

Chapter Two Death Views.2

2.1 Chinese Death Views-2

2.1.1 Avoidance-2

2.1.2 Dread-3

2.2 Western Death Views-3

Chapter Three Manifestations of Chinese and Western Death Views in Euphemism-5

3.1 Definition of Euphemism and Death Euphemism-5

3.2 The Use of Death Euphemism in China and the West-5

Chapter Four Manifestations of Chinese and Western Death Views in Death Education-7

4.1 Death Education in China-7

4.2 Death Education in the West-8

Chapter Five Factors Causing Different Death Views...9

5.1 Factors Influencing Chinese Death Views-9

5.1.1 the Spread of Confucianism and Taoism-9

5.1.2 the Popularity of Buddhism-10

5.2 Factors Influencing Western Death Views-11

Chapter Six Conclusion...12

References.13