Attitudes towards Death in Creative Artists

Abstract

A positive relationship was hypothesized between acceptance of death, strength of motivation, breadth of time perspective, and self-fulfillment in creative artists. This hypothesis was based on the assumption that fear of death inhibits orientation toward the future and thereby tends to restrict movement toward achievement and self-fulfillment. By contrast, acceptance of death and awareness of one's finitude is thought to act as a galvanizing force, impelling one toward creativity and accomplishment. Interviews were conducted with ten individuals ranked as outstanding creative artists in their fields, and a control group of ten other respondents. Findings in this preliminary study suggest some differences between the two groups in the hypothesized direction.

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