Final answer:
The Tralfamadorians from Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse-Five' understand death as a temporary state, saying 'So it goes' to imply that individuals continue to exist in other moments. They hold a non-linear perception of time and existence, contrasting with the typically linear human perspective on life and death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Tralfamadorian Perception of Death
The Tralfamadorians, a fictional alien race featured in Kurt Vonnegut's novel 'Slaughterhouse-Five', possess a unique understanding of death. They perceive all moments as existing simultaneously, and thus they see every point in time as eternal. When a Tralfamadorian observes a death, they explain it simply by saying 'So it goes', signifying acceptance of death as a condition that affects beings only at a particular moment, rather than a permanent end. To them, individuals continue to exist in countless other moments and places, rendering death a mere unpleasant incident rather than an absolute cessation of being.
Tralfamadorians embrace a form of dualism, recognizing a distinction between the physical and non-physical aspects of existence. Their philosophy resonates with various human beliefs in an afterlife or reincarnation, yet diverges because it denies the finality of death altogether. The Tralfamadorian concept of a non-linear existence stands in contrast to the general human tendency to view time sequentially, with life leading inevitably toward the finality of death.
Death's significance varies culturally, as exemplified by differing beliefs and customs around the world. While some cultures may believe in the survival of the soul or a reincarnation process post-death, others see death as the definitive end with no continuity for the individual's consciousness. The Tralfamadorian view posits an eternal continuation of moments, which essentially negates the fear and resistance commonly associated with death in human societies.