The self, death, and the afterlife Chapter 10: The self, death, and the afterlife

Conceptions of the self Dualism, materialism, monistic pantheism, and the no-self

Dualism Dualism: the self is composed of two substances usually conceived as the mind (or soul) and the body Substance(mind-body) dualism Descartes “The ghost in the machine” Thomistic dualism Aquinas Soul as “source of life and ordering principle”

Materialism Materialism: the self is composed of the physical only; there is no immaterial soul or mind Identity theory Mental properties are physical properties The “mind” is just activity of the brain Functionalism A black box with inputs and outputs A living computer

Monistic pantheism Advaita Vedanta (Hinduism) Monistic pantheism: the self is unified with reality, which does not have any distinctions. Also, everything is God. Advaita Vedanta (Hinduism) The reality of Brahman The illusion of Maya The enlightenment of Moksha The truth of Atman

The no-self Buddhist metaphysics No-self: the self does not exist, for nothing has individual or independent existence; there are no substances Buddhist metaphysics Belief in substantial self is illusory The illusory effects of karma can be overcome through enlightenment

Reincarnation and karma Reincarnation: the view that the conscious self transmigrates from one physical body to the next after death Karma: usually connected with the doctrine of reincarnation, karma is the idea that we reap the good and bad consequences of our actions, either in this life or in another

Arguments for immortality Resurrection Jews Christians The nature of God Human aspirations God’s love The nature of the soul Plato McTaggart Near death experiences Widely experienced Commonly characterized Specifically realized

Arguments against immortality Dependency on the brain Physical brains are necessary for consciousness Personal identity We are distinguished by physical features How is one soul distinguished from another? Eternal misery Eternal life might well be boring, pointless and unfulfilling An important concern for all belief systems

Questions for discussion What view of the self do you find most persuasive? What are your reasons? Do you believe in life after death? Why? Do you agree with the claim that eternal life would end up boring and pointless? What kinds of activities might keep it forever interesting and meaningful?