1. The Self, death, and Afterlife
Intro to Religion

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

3. Materialism
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

4. 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

5. No-Self or Anatman
The self does not exist, for nothing has individual or independent existence
There is no substances
Buddhist metaphysics
Belief in substantial self is illusory
The illusory effects of karma can be overcome through enlightenment

6. Reincarnation and Karma
Reincarnation is 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.
The law of the universe.

7. Immortality and Resurrection
The nature of God – human aspirations to understand
God’s Love is infinite
The nature of the Soul – Plato
Near Death experiences are widely experienced and have common characteristics.

8. 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
Cultural expectations may influence near-death experiences.

9. Questions for Discussion
Do you believe in the after death?
Do you agree with the claim that eternal life would be pointless and boring?
Do you agree think science should intervene and attempt to make humans immortal?