Chapter 1 sets forth the idea that dying is constitutively part of living, and living part of dying. Furthermore, it noted that not only is there a vast continuum of dying processes, but that in some cases, a dying process can be meaningfully controlled. The purpose, of this chapter is to spell out more thoroughly the philosophical and ethical positions that ground the arguments concerning care for the dying in the rest of the book. I begin with an elaboration on the details and meaning of “radical empiricism.” I then take up William James's prophetic warning that each of us is blind to others' interests and values. However, the radically empirical attitude demands that we overcome the blindness.