Relational Model of Thanatos (RMT) – A Theory of Death

Abstract

Based on different approaches from thanatological research and philosophy, the Relational Model of Thanatos (RMT) outlines a coherent picture of dying. The article presents the three pillars of RMT: four thanatological assumptions outline a philosophical foundation of death in its reciprocal relation to self and reality. Four thanatological effects condense the diversity of phenomenological aspects of the dying process into structural features that characterize dying interindividually. In this way, they put into concrete terms what every dying person must reckon with, regardless of his or her ideological or religious background. However, in RMT, how the individual meets these challenges depends on his or her inner attitude in the dying process, the thanatological mindset. Based on the interdependence of consciousness and experience (relationality), a holistic picture thus emerges of possible experiences near death. From the three pillars of RMT – thanatological assumptions, thanatological effects, thanatological mindset – hypothetical predictions can be made about the psychological experience in dying. In addition, skills can be specified that may be helpful in dealing with any structural challenges of dying, and therefore support a positive dying experience.