After Morrie received his diagnosis, he asked himself: Do I wither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my time left? (Albom 10). What do you suppose navigates human beings in this situation toward an answer to such a question?

I think this depends on the person. I cannot begin to claim to know what a life altering illness might feel like. I can only comment on Morrie. Throughout his illness, Morrie displays a very positive mental attitude. He does not feel sorry for himself because his body is slowly deteriorating. He looks at the positives in his life and the things he is still able to do. His positive attitude inspires Mitch and others in the story.