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

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

3. 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”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?