Mors et vita duello confixere mirando
A wonderful duel to behold, as death and life struggle

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the meaning and loss of meaning of life and death in the context of the modern world and classical philosophy, whose most prominent representative is Thomas Aquinas. There are also references to more contemporary thinkers and philosophers representing various cultural, political and – from certain points of view – also doctrinal backgrounds (G. K. Chesterton, Leszek Kołakowski) – which shows the relev-ance and significance of the problem. Therefore, referring predo-minantly to the teaching of Aquinas’ writings, especially the "Summa Theologiae", it is demonstrated that it is eschatology that alone can give the right meaning to life and death, which is cur-rently marginalised in the universal mentality and is a conse-quence of radically materialistic and post-positivist view of the world (associated with the successes of exact sciences) hostile to Christianity (which fulfils the objectives of eschatology most closely). The rejection of eschatology, and in consequence pur-posefulness which is a source and purpose of all human actions (the human ultimate goal is happiness, which St. Thomas – relying on Aristotle – equates with God) calls into question the very nature of man and – as viewed by the mentioned thinkers – may lead to the annihilation of humankind.

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