The work of death researcher Elisabeth Kübler-Ross fundamentally changed how we deal with death. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday these days. And today, in an increasingly aging society, the question is more urgent than ever: How will we die in the future?

Topics in this episode:

00:00 What does it mean to prepare for death in good time?

06:58 Is it easier to die as a religious person if you believe in an afterlife?

15:02 What does G.D. Borasio mean by the "tsunami of very elderly dying people"?

17:30 The life and achievements of death researcher Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

22:47 How has Elisabeth Kübler-Ross changed the way we deal with the dying?

40:30 What is an example of a fulfilled life?

49:28 End of life and dying in a more affordable country?

With her book "Interviews with Dying People," the Swiss-American psychiatrist and death researcher Elisabeth Kübler-Ross made a groundbreaking contribution in 1969: she broke the silence surrounding death and moved it from the realm of taboo into public discourse. Her cultural achievement lies in having made dying visible as a part of life—a prerequisite for modern palliative medicine.

At the same time, demographic trends are challenging these achievements. More and more people are reaching old age—often accompanied by prolonged periods of illness and dementia. Palliative care physician Gian Domenico Borasio speaks of a "tsunami of very old dying people" approaching, raising fundamental questions about dignity, autonomy, and care. A healthcare system geared toward efficiency is thus reaching its limits.

Do we need new forms of solidarity, "caring communities," and a greater socialization of care work? What role can palliative care play as a model for a more humane system – and what does that mean for all of us?

Olivia Röllin asks Gian Domenico Borasio, one of the leading voices in the debate about a dignified end of life.

Philosophy Hour, June 28, 2026

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"Sternstunde Philosophie" fosters in-depth and critical exchange of ideas and delves into the pressing questions of our time.

"Sternstunde Philosophie" spans a wide range, from current socio-political issues to fundamental philosophical questions: Who is responsible for what, what constitutes human freedom, and what determines the meaning of our lives? Our guests are prominent figures from science, culture, politics, and business – voices that stimulate thought and reflect on and contextualize current events.

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Hosted by:
Barbara Bleisch Instagram: barbarableisch
Olivia Röllin Instagram: oliviaroellin
Yves Bossart Instagram: bossart_yves
Wolfram Eilenberger
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