the self, death, and the afterlife. dualism, materialism, monistic pantheism, and the no-self
TRANSCRIPT
The self, death, and the afterlife
Dualism, materialism,
monistic pantheism,and the no-self
Dualism: the self is composed of two substances usually conceived as the mind (or soul) and the body
Substance(mind-body) dualismDescartes“The ghost in the machine”
Thomistic dualismAquinasSoul as “source of life and ordering
principle”
Materialism: the self is composed of the physical only; there is no immaterial soul or mind
Identity theoryMental properties are physical propertiesThe “mind” is just activity of the brain
FunctionalismA black box with inputs and outputsA living computer
Monistic pantheism: the self is unified with reality, which does not have any distinctions. Also, everything is God.
Advaita Vedanta (Hinduism)The reality of BrahmanThe illusion of MayaThe enlightenment of MokshaThe truth of Atman
No-self: the self does not exist, for nothing has individual or independent existence; there are no substances
Buddhist metaphysicsBelief in substantial self is illusoryThe illusory effects of karma can be overcome through enlightenment
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
Near death experiencesWidely experiencedCommonly characterizedSpecifically realized
ResurrectionJewsChristians
The nature of God Human
aspirationsGod’s love
The nature of the soulPlatoMcTaggart
Dependency on the brainPhysical 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
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?