The Deconstruction of Modern Mortality of Death: An Analysis Through Law, War, and Social Philosophy

Objectives This paper aims to explore the deconstruction of contemporary mortality through a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on law, warfare, and social philosophy. It examines how modern society navigates the complexities of death, both legally and socially, and investigates the impact of warfare and aging on perceptions of mortality. Material and methods A qualitative analysis is conducted through a review of international legal frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Additionally, case studies of modern warfare (e.g., Ukraine and Gaza) and philosophical discourse on social death are examined. Results The study finds that international law prioritizes the right to life, while the right to die remains a contested issue. Modern warfare complicates traditional notions of mortality, extending death beyond the battlefield. Social death, marked by withdrawal from societal engagement, highlights the role of aging and retirement in diminishing personal identity before biological death. These findings underscore modernity’s attempt to manage and distance itself from death, while also revealing the erosion of communal coping mechanisms in the face of mortality. Conclusions The paper concludes that the deconstruction of modern mortality reflects a broader societal shift towards the privatization and medicalization of death. It calls for renewed engagement with mortality through collective rituals, ethical reflection, and interdisciplinary discourse. Bauman’s insights on modern mortality remain relevant, emphasizing the need for a more open, empathetic confrontation with death in contemporary society.