A feature in The Atlantic asks whether animals understand their own mortality. “Comparative thanatology,” the study of how animals experience death, is a small field that dates back to Aristotle, who ...

Recent investigations into children’s understanding of death reveal an intricate interplay between cognitive development, emotional exposure, cultural context and media representations. Children's ...

Last week, I ran across a DVD of the animated Disney classic The Lion King. In the movie, there is an explicit death of a protagonist character, Mufasa. This death scene and the recent mass shootings ...

A philosopher journeys into the world of comparative thanatology, which explores how animals of all kinds respond to death and dying. By Emily Anthes In the summer of 2018, off the coast of British ...

“Playing Possum,” a new book by the philosopher Susana Monsó, explores the mysteries of grief and mourning in the animal world. By Jennifer Szalai When you purchase an independently reviewed book ...

The question of whether dogs know when they are about to die has intrigued veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and pet owners for years. For many, it stems from witnessing subtle changes in their pets ...

Parents have many tough conversations with their kids. We explain to stubborn toddlers why it’s important to share their toys and talk with disappointed elementary schoolers about their feelings after ...

Throughout history, humans have given a lot of thought to death. We’ve grappled with our mortality, created elaborate burial rituals, and contemplated how best to mourn the loss of a loved one. But ...