life after death part 1 mind and body. what is death? a definition: –‘complete and permanent...
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What is death?What is death?
A definition:A definition:– ‘‘Complete and permanent cessation of all vital Complete and permanent cessation of all vital
functions in a living creature, the end of life’functions in a living creature, the end of life’
All agree on the first part many disagree All agree on the first part many disagree with the idea of it being the ‘end of life’with the idea of it being the ‘end of life’
How could life continue?How could life continue?
Through our genes in our children and Through our genes in our children and descendantsdescendants
We live on in our life’s workWe live on in our life’s work We live on in the memory of othersWe live on in the memory of others Immortality of the soulImmortality of the soul Resurrection of the bodyResurrection of the body ReincarnationReincarnation
Materialism or Dualism?Materialism or Dualism?
Two main theories of human natureTwo main theories of human nature MaterialistsMaterialists believe that the mind and body believe that the mind and body
of a human are inseparableof a human are inseparable DualistsDualists believe that humans consist of a believe that humans consist of a
body and a soulbody and a soul
MaterialismMaterialism
There is no soulThere is no soul Most materialists believe that at death the Most materialists believe that at death the
whole person ceases to existwhole person ceases to exist Gilbert RyleGilbert Ryle
The Concept of the Mind (1949)The Concept of the Mind (1949)
– Ghost in the machineGhost in the machine– A category mistakeA category mistake
MaterialismMaterialism
Hard MaterialismHard Materialism Soft MaterialismSoft Materialism
All characteristics are All characteristics are physical onesphysical ones
Not all characteristics are Not all characteristics are physicalphysical
Mind cannot be Mind cannot be separated from bodyseparated from body
Mind and body are Mind and body are relatedrelated
Consciousness is just Consciousness is just brain activitybrain activity
Consciousness is more Consciousness is more than just brain activitythan just brain activity
When body dies so does When body dies so does the brainthe brain
When body dies so does When body dies so does the brainthe brain
MaterialismMaterialism
There is no scientific evidence for the soulThere is no scientific evidence for the soul The soul cannot be located in the bodyThe soul cannot be located in the body The body is matter onlyThe body is matter only Therefore there is no soulTherefore there is no soul
Materialist argument Materialist argument against an afterlifeagainst an afterlife
– Life depends on a functioning brain, nervous Life depends on a functioning brain, nervous system and physical bodysystem and physical body
– Death involves the destruction of the brain, the Death involves the destruction of the brain, the nervous system and physical bodynervous system and physical body
– Therefore a person’s life ends at death as Therefore a person’s life ends at death as without a physical form, life cannot be without a physical form, life cannot be supportedsupported
DualismDualism
Mind determines personalityMind determines personality Body is a shell for the real selfBody is a shell for the real self Body is contingent and will endBody is contingent and will end The mind is immortal and considers higher The mind is immortal and considers higher
realitiesrealities Truth, goodness, justiceTruth, goodness, justice
PlatoPlato
– A dualistA dualist– Body and soul are two separate substances that Body and soul are two separate substances that
interactinteract– Soul is immortal and contains the real identitySoul is immortal and contains the real identity– Plato developed idea of formsPlato developed idea of forms– Body belongs to the physical contingent worldBody belongs to the physical contingent world– Soul wants to go to the world of ideas and stay Soul wants to go to the world of ideas and stay
there for eternitythere for eternity
AristotleAristotle
– Soul is part of the bodySoul is part of the body– It is what turns the physical form into a living It is what turns the physical form into a living
thing of a particular typething of a particular type– Soul and body are inseparableSoul and body are inseparable– Soul develops character but cannot survive Soul develops character but cannot survive
deathdeath– But is Aristotle a materialist? He did believe that But is Aristotle a materialist? He did believe that
the body and the soul were differentthe body and the soul were different
RenRenéé Descartes Descartes
– A DualistA Dualist– Mind includes feelings and sensations that Mind includes feelings and sensations that
cannot be located physicallycannot be located physically– Concluded ‘I think therefore I am’Concluded ‘I think therefore I am’
Mind and body are differentMind and body are different Each have own special characteristicsEach have own special characteristics Mind is a substance that is to ‘think’Mind is a substance that is to ‘think’ Body is a material that is to ‘take up space’Body is a material that is to ‘take up space’
RenRenéé Descartes Descartes
ConcludedConcluded– Identity comes from thinking and reasoningIdentity comes from thinking and reasoning– Conceivable that we could survive our body and Conceivable that we could survive our body and
remain same personremain same person– Believed body not needed to live intellectuallyBelieved body not needed to live intellectually– We can make drastic changes to our bodies but We can make drastic changes to our bodies but
remain the same personremain the same person– Believed that after death our soul can life on Believed that after death our soul can life on
with Godwith God
St Thomas AquinasSt Thomas Aquinas
– Agreed with AristotleAgreed with Aristotle– Soul animates the body – gives it lifeSoul animates the body – gives it life– Soul operates independently of bodySoul operates independently of body– Only things that are divisible decayOnly things that are divisible decay– Soul is not divisibleSoul is not divisible– Therefore soul can survive deathTherefore soul can survive death– But link between body and soulBut link between body and soul– So soul can retain individual identitySo soul can retain individual identity
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
Answer the following exam question in Answer the following exam question in groupsgroups
‘‘The soul is just a part of the body’. Discuss.The soul is just a part of the body’. Discuss.
How to answerHow to answer
Start with the problem – Why are we even discussing this?Start with the problem – Why are we even discussing this? Explain Materialism and DualismExplain Materialism and Dualism Explain the views of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Aquinas.Explain the views of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Aquinas. What do you think and why?What do you think and why? ConclusionConclusion
Christian ViewChristian View
Most Christians believe in the resurrection of Most Christians believe in the resurrection of the bodythe body
Most Christians believe in the immortality of Most Christians believe in the immortality of the soulthe soul
– The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being.became a living being. Genesis 2.7Genesis 2.7
But disagree on whether resurrection is But disagree on whether resurrection is physical or spiritualphysical or spiritual
Heaven and HellHeaven and Hell
There are different Christian views on what There are different Christian views on what happens to the soulhappens to the soul
The soul may remain close to earth, ascend to The soul may remain close to earth, ascend to Heaven, descend into Hell or participate in a Heaven, descend into Hell or participate in a general resurrectiongeneral resurrection
For many Christians Heaven and Hell provide an For many Christians Heaven and Hell provide an understanding of evil and sufferingunderstanding of evil and suffering– A physical body will be needed to experience tormentA physical body will be needed to experience torment
Liberal Christians place little emphasis on a placeLiberal Christians place little emphasis on a place
Personal identityPersonal identity
If resurrection is physical then people can be If resurrection is physical then people can be recognisedrecognised
But if spiritual how will recognition take place?But if spiritual how will recognition take place? What is the ‘I’ ?What is the ‘I’ ?
MemoriesMemories PersonalityPersonality Physical looksPhysical looks
Personal Identity is a problem for any form of Personal Identity is a problem for any form of afterlifeafterlife
Just how can we be sure it is actually the same person?Just how can we be sure it is actually the same person?
John HickJohn Hick
Hick is a materialistHick is a materialist But he believes that people can live after But he believes that people can live after
deathdeath This is possible through the creation of a This is possible through the creation of a
replicareplica God is all-powerfulGod is all-powerful
Therefore he can create a replicaTherefore he can create a replica
Replica TheoryReplica Theory
John Smith lived in AmericaJohn Smith lived in America One day he vanishes in front of his friendsOne day he vanishes in front of his friends At precisely the same time a replica of Smith appears At precisely the same time a replica of Smith appears
in Indiain India Hick argues it is the same personHick argues it is the same person
Smith dies in America and a replica appears Smith dies in America and a replica appears in Indiain India
Smith dies in America and a replica appears Smith dies in America and a replica appears in a parallel universein a parallel universe
Replica TheoryReplica Theory
Is it the same person?Is it the same person? What should we look for to identify the What should we look for to identify the
replica as being the same person?replica as being the same person? Hick argues that if the replica looks like the Hick argues that if the replica looks like the
original, has the same memories and original, has the same memories and personality, we would assume it to be the personality, we would assume it to be the same personsame person
Objections to the Replica TheoryObjections to the Replica Theory
A replica is not the same as the originalA replica is not the same as the original– Art collectors would not pay £1000s for a replica picture Art collectors would not pay £1000s for a replica picture
because it is not the originalbecause it is not the original
If God can create one replica why not many? Then If God can create one replica why not many? Then which would be the real person?which would be the real person?
Hick’s theory relies on God actually existing, but Hick’s theory relies on God actually existing, but many philosophers do not accept the existence of many philosophers do not accept the existence of God and therefore his theory failsGod and therefore his theory fails
St Paul’s viewSt Paul’s view
Hick provides a possible way in which Hick provides a possible way in which resurrection could take placeresurrection could take place
But he does not suggest the resurrection of the But he does not suggest the resurrection of the original bodyoriginal body
Rather it is the re-creation of the person who diedRather it is the re-creation of the person who died
Hick’s view is compatible with Christian idea Hick’s view is compatible with Christian idea of resurrectionof resurrection
St Paul wrote to the CorinthiansSt Paul wrote to the Corinthians– The body is buried mortal, when raised, it will be immortal… The body is buried mortal, when raised, it will be immortal…
…when buried it is a physical body, when raised it will be a …when buried it is a physical body, when raised it will be a spiritual bodyspiritual body
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins
Writer of many booksWriter of many books AtheistAtheist An empiricistAn empiricist Focuses on evolutionFocuses on evolution Belief in a soul is a failure to accept that Belief in a soul is a failure to accept that
evil and suffering have no purposeevil and suffering have no purpose Another replication theoryAnother replication theory
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins
Humans are nothing more than their DNAHumans are nothing more than their DNA The only thing that can be said to survive a The only thing that can be said to survive a
person’s death is their DNAperson’s death is their DNA provided they have childrenprovided they have children
If people learnt to reason as scientists they If people learnt to reason as scientists they would be better humanswould be better humans
Science answers questions about origin, whereas Science answers questions about origin, whereas religion depends on faithreligion depends on faith
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins
Dawkins explains our consciousness in Dawkins explains our consciousness in terms of memesterms of memes
Genes are the physical replicatorsGenes are the physical replicators Memes are human culture replicatorsMemes are human culture replicators Memes enable cultural survivalMemes enable cultural survival
But also evolveBut also evolve
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins
Writer of many booksWriter of many books AtheistAtheist An empiricistAn empiricist Focuses on evolutionFocuses on evolution Belief in a soul is a failure to accept that Belief in a soul is a failure to accept that
evil and suffering have no purposeevil and suffering have no purpose
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
Answer the following exam question in Answer the following exam question in groupsgroups
‘‘The resurrection of the body is not possible’. The resurrection of the body is not possible’. Discuss.Discuss.
How to answerHow to answer
Start with an explanation of what we mean by Start with an explanation of what we mean by resurrectionresurrection
Explain why it is a problemExplain why it is a problem Refer to the biblical idea of resurrectionRefer to the biblical idea of resurrection Mention St PaulMention St Paul Explain the problems with personal identity Explain the problems with personal identity Discuss Hick’s replica theoryDiscuss Hick’s replica theory Explain the problems of the theoryExplain the problems of the theory What do you think and why?What do you think and why? ConclusionConclusion
Life and deathLife and death
Part 3Part 3
ReincarnationReincarnation
Evidence for existence of a soulEvidence for existence of a soul
ReincarnationReincarnation
Could be referred to as RebirthCould be referred to as Rebirth At death the soul moves from the dead body At death the soul moves from the dead body
into a new bodyinto a new body The new body is totally different from the oldThe new body is totally different from the old Usually there are no memories of the Usually there are no memories of the
previous lifeprevious life Therefore personal identity cannot be Therefore personal identity cannot be
retainedretained
BuddhismBuddhism
There is an interconnection between each There is an interconnection between each life that does not involve a soullife that does not involve a soul
Connection made through karmaConnection made through karma– Karma means ‘action’Karma means ‘action’– Relationship between what a person does and Relationship between what a person does and
what happens to themwhat happens to them
‘‘I’ is not the person living a single life but the I’ is not the person living a single life but the union of all lived lives.union of all lived lives.
HinduismHinduism
Atman = soul and is eternalAtman = soul and is eternal Individuals develop through cycle of life, Individuals develop through cycle of life,
death and rebirthdeath and rebirth Aim is to work to be reunited with BrahmanAim is to work to be reunited with Brahman Living right (dharma) gives good karmaLiving right (dharma) gives good karma Usually no memories of a previous lifeUsually no memories of a previous life
Near Death ExperienceNear Death Experience
Advances in medical research mean that Advances in medical research mean that more people declared as clinically dead are more people declared as clinically dead are being resuscitatedbeing resuscitated
Dr Raymond Moody saw similarity in the Dr Raymond Moody saw similarity in the experiences of people who were experiences of people who were resuscitatedresuscitated
His investigations revealed…His investigations revealed…
At moment of death many have a feeling of At moment of death many have a feeling of floating above their bodyfloating above their body
They can observe what is happening around themThey can observe what is happening around them Movement unrestricted – can move through wallsMovement unrestricted – can move through walls Sense of bliss, ecstasy and peaceSense of bliss, ecstasy and peace Rapid movement down a tunnel with bight light at Rapid movement down a tunnel with bight light at
the endthe end Dead friends and relatives are waiting at the endDead friends and relatives are waiting at the end At end of tunnel there is a beautiful place with a At end of tunnel there is a beautiful place with a
sense of the divinesense of the divine Panoramic view of their entire lifePanoramic view of their entire life Made aware of how their actions have effect their Made aware of how their actions have effect their
life and otherslife and others Told it is not yet their time to die and they returnTold it is not yet their time to die and they return
Near Death ExperienceNear Death Experience
No two NDE’s identicalNo two NDE’s identical Longer person is dead the more in depth Longer person is dead the more in depth
their experiencetheir experience Not all people resuscitated have such Not all people resuscitated have such
experiencesexperiences
Regression to Past LivesRegression to Past Lives
If we have past lives some believe we should have If we have past lives some believe we should have memoriesmemories
Some people do claim to have memories of a past Some people do claim to have memories of a past lifelife– Children sometimes make comments that suggest they Children sometimes make comments that suggest they
are remembering a past lifeare remembering a past life– People under hypnosis have given accounts of past People under hypnosis have given accounts of past
liveslives
Research can confirm the accuracy of their claimResearch can confirm the accuracy of their claim
Regression to Past LivesRegression to Past Lives
Reasons why their claims might be falseReasons why their claims might be false– Could be recalling information already gained in Could be recalling information already gained in
this lifethis life– Maybe a cultural gene that passes information Maybe a cultural gene that passes information
down down – Memories could be suppressed events of this Memories could be suppressed events of this
lifelife
SightingsSightings
Dr Deepak ChopraDr Deepak Chopra– Bodies are effectively energyBodies are effectively energy– Appear solid but actually are an impulse of Appear solid but actually are an impulse of
energyenergy– When someone dies the energy field remains When someone dies the energy field remains
Made be seen by othersMade be seen by others Perceived as a ghostPerceived as a ghost
Unlikely to be hallucinations as often seen Unlikely to be hallucinations as often seen by more than one personby more than one person
SightingsSightings
Alternative explanationsAlternative explanations– Hoax or elaborate trickHoax or elaborate trick– ‘‘stone tape’ theory. Like a magnetic tape. Event stone tape’ theory. Like a magnetic tape. Event
is played back in right conditionsis played back in right conditions– Mistaken identityMistaken identity– Power of suggestionPower of suggestion
SpiritualismSpiritualism
Communication between dead and livingCommunication between dead and living Messages give comfort to the bereavedMessages give comfort to the bereaved Some mediums have been shown to be Some mediums have been shown to be
fraudsfrauds Others appear genuineOthers appear genuine Could be real communication with spiritsCould be real communication with spirits Could be telepathic communication with the Could be telepathic communication with the
livingliving
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
Answer the following exam question in Answer the following exam question in groupsgroups
Shakespeare described death as ‘the Shakespeare described death as ‘the undiscovered country from whose bourn no undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns.’ There are those who would traveller returns.’ There are those who would argue that people have returned from ‘the argue that people have returned from ‘the undiscovered country’. Discuss the evidence put undiscovered country’. Discuss the evidence put forward as proof that there is life after death, and forward as proof that there is life after death, and the form that life after death might take.the form that life after death might take.
How to answerHow to answer
Consider ideas that provide evidence of life after deathConsider ideas that provide evidence of life after death– NDE’s, Regression, Sightings, SpiritualismNDE’s, Regression, Sightings, Spiritualism– You do not have time to write too much so you have to deal You do not have time to write too much so you have to deal
with them briefly but clearlywith them briefly but clearly– Give a critical analysis of the ideasGive a critical analysis of the ideas
Explain the two main theories of possible forms of Explain the two main theories of possible forms of after lifeafter life– ResurrectionResurrection– ReincarnationReincarnation– Give a critical analysis of bothGive a critical analysis of both
What do you think and why?What do you think and why? ConclusionConclusion