1. Philosophy in Fall: What is Death? Feraco-EberleSFHP 13 November 2008

2. The Question Series What is Choice? – √ What is Choice? – √ What is Morality? - √ What is Morality? - √ What is Happiness? - √ What is Happiness? - √ What is the Soul? - √ What is the Soul? - √ What is Death? What is Death? What is the Meaning of Life? What is the Meaning of Life? Great Thinkers Confront Our Questions Great Thinkers Confront Our Questions My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft) My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft)

3. What is Death? What is Death? What is Death? Monism and Dualism II Monism and Dualism II Through My Graveyard – and Beyond Through My Graveyard – and Beyond Why Fear Death? Why Fear Death? How Should We Greet Death? How Should We Greet Death? Plato’s Take on the Soul (and Death) Plato’s Take on the Soul (and Death) The Moral Argument Against Annihilation What If There’s Nothing Beyond This? Is There Hope for Existence After Death? Our Own Valhallas The Writing Assignment

4. What is Death? Numerous cultures and theologies provide different explanations for what death actually is Numerous cultures and theologies provide different explanations for what death actually is Why don’t we have a “Unified Theory of Death”? Why don’t we have a “Unified Theory of Death”? However, it’s useful to begin with our old logic However, it’s useful to begin with our old logic Not Albert or Kimberly and their midterms – merely the Law of the Excluded Middle and the Law of Noncontradiction Not Albert or Kimberly and their midterms – merely the Law of the Excluded Middle and the Law of Noncontradiction Either something lies beyond death – regardless of what it is – or nothing does Either something lies beyond death – regardless of what it is – or nothing does Either P or Not P is true, and P and Not P cannot be true simultaneously Either P or Not P is true, and P and Not P cannot be true simultaneously For the sake of our exploration today, we’ll consider both For the sake of our exploration today, we’ll consider both

5. What is Death? Scientifically speaking, death represents the end of corporeal existence Scientifically speaking, death represents the end of corporeal existence “Corporeal” = “Physical” – “Corpus”  Body  Corpse “Corporeal” = “Physical” – “Corpus”  Body  Corpse It seems like such a simple deal It seems like such a simple deal To a materialist, it is – but to others, not so much To a materialist, it is – but to others, not so much If you are a materialist, you don’t believe in a division between realms – you think this is it If you are a materialist, you don’t believe in a division between realms – you think this is it This doesn’t mean that a dualist can’t believe this is it – just that dualism is a prerequisite belief if one wants to believe in some sort of afterlife or reincarnation This doesn’t mean that a dualist can’t believe this is it – just that dualism is a prerequisite belief if one wants to believe in some sort of afterlife or reincarnation

6. Monists vs. Dualists As you might expect, a monist doesn’t think anything happens after death – or happened before life As you might expect, a monist doesn’t think anything happens after death – or happened before life Notice this isn’t a debate about when life starts Notice this isn’t a debate about when life starts This works for idealists (who believe we’re nothing but mental energy and projections) as well as for materialists This works for idealists (who believe we’re nothing but mental energy and projections) as well as for materialists The idealists, after all, recognize that death “happens” – and so assume it represents the fundamental ending of a consciousness The idealists, after all, recognize that death “happens” – and so assume it represents the fundamental ending of a consciousness A dualist, on the other hand, operates under the principle that there’s more to us than meets the eye A dualist, on the other hand, operates under the principle that there’s more to us than meets the eye Again, you don’t have to believe in an afterlife if you’re a dualist Again, you don’t have to believe in an afterlife if you’re a dualist However, a belief in something after death requires you to assume that humans are more than sacks of meat and bones However, a belief in something after death requires you to assume that humans are more than sacks of meat and bones

7. Fear of Death If you’re a monist, can you fear death? If you’re a monist, can you fear death? Sure – there’s a push and pull between accepting what you see as the natural necessity of death and facing the overwhelming terror of oblivion Sure – there’s a push and pull between accepting what you see as the natural necessity of death and facing the overwhelming terror of oblivion Plus, an interesting possibility: What if you’re wrong? Plus, an interesting possibility: What if you’re wrong? Is this a good or bad thing? Is this a good or bad thing? I suppose it depends I suppose it depends If you’re a dualist, should you fear death? If you’re a dualist, should you fear death? Sure – What if you’re wrong? Sure – What if you’re wrong? Plus, who’s to say you live well even if you’re a dualist? Plus, who’s to say you live well even if you’re a dualist?

12. Why Would Humans Fear Death? “Man is the only animal that contemplates death, and also the only animal that shows any sign of doubt of its finality.” “Man is the only animal that contemplates death, and also the only animal that shows any sign of doubt of its finality.” William Ernest Hocking We fear, in no particular order: We fear, in no particular order: The realization of a deep-seated fear – that something we did in life will come back to haunt us The realization of a deep-seated fear – that something we did in life will come back to haunt us The possibility that nothing we do will impact our fate The possibility that nothing we do will impact our fate That the end will involve suffering That the end will involve suffering The fact that the end remains unknown to us – a mystery The fact that the end remains unknown to us – a mystery The possibility, in turn, that nothing awaits us The possibility, in turn, that nothing awaits us Finally, the possibility that your deeply-held belief about the end is wrong – that something else will happen Finally, the possibility that your deeply-held belief about the end is wrong – that something else will happen If you’re wrong about death, were you wrong about life? If you’re wrong about death, were you wrong about life?

13. How Do We Greet Death? Really, the flip side to that question is “How do we greet life?” Really, the flip side to that question is “How do we greet life?” Do we tread more or less carefully, depending on how we feel about the end? Do we tread more or less carefully, depending on how we feel about the end? You can approach death fearfully (understandably so) You can approach death fearfully (understandably so) You can approach death calmly You can approach death calmly After all, all of us die After all, all of us die For that matter, none of us even know it’s an unpleasant experience For that matter, none of us even know it’s an unpleasant experience You can even take the Epicurian approach You can even take the Epicurian approach “Death, the most dreaded of evils, is therefore of no concern to us; for while we exist, death is not present, and when death is present, we no longer exist.” “Death, the most dreaded of evils, is therefore of no concern to us; for while we exist, death is not present, and when death is present, we no longer exist.” Epicurus Epicurus

14. Plato’s Interesting Take on Death The great philosopher Plato took a physically practical approach to the study of death The great philosopher Plato took a physically practical approach to the study of death The philosophical equivalent of the “21 Grams” experiment, hundreds of years ago The philosophical equivalent of the “21 Grams” experiment, hundreds of years ago Plato argued that physical objects don’t just stop existing Plato argued that physical objects don’t just stop existing If you want to “kill” a chair, what do you do? If you want to “kill” a chair, what do you do? Breaking it up just separates it into its components Breaking it up just separates it into its components Even burning it leaves ashes – the chair’s been transformed into something else, but not eradicated from existence Even burning it leaves ashes – the chair’s been transformed into something else, but not eradicated from existence The same thing holds true for a statue – if it falls over, it breaks into little stone shards, but the stone remains The same thing holds true for a statue – if it falls over, it breaks into little stone shards, but the stone remains This, he argues, is how things get destroyed in our world – they break down into components, but they aren’t eradicated This, he argues, is how things get destroyed in our world – they break down into components, but they aren’t eradicated Plato – a dualist – then goes on to argue that since the soul is not substance, it cannot be broken down into parts Plato – a dualist – then goes on to argue that since the soul is not substance, it cannot be broken down into parts Since it cannot be broken down, it cannot be destroyed Since it cannot be broken down, it cannot be destroyed

15. Response to Plato Plato’s thought process may hold true for physical things – but is everything in this world physical? Plato’s thought process may hold true for physical things – but is everything in this world physical? This is the sort of thing that makes a materialist angry This is the sort of thing that makes a materialist angry One would insist that everything is physical, and that it therefore makes no sense for there to be this mysterious thing composed of something unknowable beyond sensation One would insist that everything is physical, and that it therefore makes no sense for there to be this mysterious thing composed of something unknowable beyond sensation If you’re not a materialist, however, you acknowledge that there are a variety of different “substances” in the world If you’re not a materialist, however, you acknowledge that there are a variety of different “substances” in the world Is the beam from my laser pointer made from the same “stuff” as the grass on the library lawn? Is the beam from my laser pointer made from the same “stuff” as the grass on the library lawn? Things do exist that stop existing Things do exist that stop existing Where does light go when you shut off its source? Where does light go when you shut off its source? Possibly nowhere – possibly everywhere Possibly nowhere – possibly everywhere If I play a note on the piano, does it play forever? If I play a note on the piano, does it play forever? What if I destroy the piano? Can the note live on without its host – its source? What if I destroy the piano? Can the note live on without its host – its source? How does Plato know that the soul isn’t made of something as transitory as a musical note – or a physical body? How does Plato know that the soul isn’t made of something as transitory as a musical note – or a physical body? Then again, if the soul isn’t meant to endure, what’s the point of one? Then again, if the soul isn’t meant to endure, what’s the point of one? With death – as with many other things – the questions lead to more questions With death – as with many other things – the questions lead to more questions Don’t get frustrated – you’ll get a shot at answering these yourself, and I’m looking forward to reading from your considered (and well-prepared) perspective Don’t get frustrated – you’ll get a shot at answering these yourself, and I’m looking forward to reading from your considered (and well-prepared) perspective

16. The Moral Argument Against Annihilation We often wonder about the meaning of life in the context of the meaning of death We often wonder about the meaning of life in the context of the meaning of death If there’s no “beyond,” many wonder, is there any point to the “here and now”? If there’s no “beyond,” many wonder, is there any point to the “here and now”? Some would argue that the lack of a “beyond” makes the good we perform in this life even more important; if this is all we get, why not make it as wonderful for everyone as possible? Some would argue that the lack of a “beyond” makes the good we perform in this life even more important; if this is all we get, why not make it as wonderful for everyone as possible? “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” William Penn Others, however, argue that life must have meaning – and that, if life has meaning, it is meaningful because of goodness Others, however, argue that life must have meaning – and that, if life has meaning, it is meaningful because of goodness They submit that in a moral, meaningful universe, goodness cannot be annihilated – it wouldn’t check out morally They submit that in a moral, meaningful universe, goodness cannot be annihilated – it wouldn’t check out morally What a waste, we think – nothing could be so cruel What a waste, we think – nothing could be so cruel

17. What If Nothing Lies Beyond? How would our lives in this “plane” (using the dualist system) change if nothing lies beyond? How would our lives in this “plane” (using the dualist system) change if nothing lies beyond? Is Penn’s philosophy best? Is Penn’s philosophy best? Should we throw morality out the window? Should we throw morality out the window? Does the mystery surrounding death actually help us live better lives? Does the mystery surrounding death actually help us live better lives? It depends on your view regarding fear, I suppose – is it a positive or negative force? It depends on your view regarding fear, I suppose – is it a positive or negative force?

18. Is There Hope for Existence Beyond Death? Many theologies and cultures account for some sort of continued existence Many theologies and cultures account for some sort of continued existence One wonders if this shared tendency towards a reverence for an “afterlife” is meaningful in and of itself, or if it merely reveals something interesting about the human character – whatever that interesting thing may be One wonders if this shared tendency towards a reverence for an “afterlife” is meaningful in and of itself, or if it merely reveals something interesting about the human character – whatever that interesting thing may be We have people who claim to have been contacted from beyond, or to have come back from the brink of death We have people who claim to have been contacted from beyond, or to have come back from the brink of death In some cases, people insist that they remember previous lives – previous revolutions of the Samsara cycle, perhaps In some cases, people insist that they remember previous lives – previous revolutions of the Samsara cycle, perhaps In any event, the mystery surrounding death – the sheer enormity of all that we don’t know – isn’t necessarily a prescription for negative possibilities In any event, the mystery surrounding death – the sheer enormity of all that we don’t know – isn’t necessarily a prescription for negative possibilities After all, if we don’t know whether we continue beyond our corporeal end, we don’t know that we can’t continue After all, if we don’t know whether we continue beyond our corporeal end, we don’t know that we can’t continue Perhaps that’s the meaning of life and death: The opportunity to explore the infinite possibilities of existence - and, in turn, the infinite possibility for discovery, both of new answers and new questions Perhaps that’s the meaning of life and death: The opportunity to explore the infinite possibilities of existence - and, in turn, the infinite possibility for discovery, both of new answers and new questions Remember the lessons of last week: Don’t aim for a target with the intention of hitting it and stopping – always aim toward, through, and beyond Remember the lessons of last week: Don’t aim for a target with the intention of hitting it and stopping – always aim toward, through, and beyond “Done, done, on to the next one…” “Done, done, on to the next one…” Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters

19. Our Own Valhallas Finally, it’s worth remembering the Norse attitude toward death, if only for the purposes of intellectual curiosity Finally, it’s worth remembering the Norse attitude toward death, if only for the purposes of intellectual curiosity If you had the opportunity to earn your way into the equivalent of “Valhalla” – a new realm, or a new existence/Samsara spin, perfectly suited for you – what would you want it to be, and why? If you had the opportunity to earn your way into the equivalent of “Valhalla” – a new realm, or a new existence/Samsara spin, perfectly suited for you – what would you want it to be, and why? What would the perfect coda be for a life well-lived? What would the perfect coda be for a life well-lived? If you’ll be lucky enough to say your last words well – to say the words you want to say to the person who needs to hear them – who would be listening, and what would you say? If you’ll be lucky enough to say your last words well – to say the words you want to say to the person who needs to hear them – who would be listening, and what would you say? Would they understand? Would they understand?

23. The Writing Assignment You’ve already discussed choice, morality, happiness, and the soul. You’ve already discussed choice, morality, happiness, and the soul. Today, I’d like you to articulate your personal philosophy regarding death – what death means, what you believe happens when we die, etc. Today, I’d like you to articulate your personal philosophy regarding death – what death means, what you believe happens when we die, etc. Remember, this is an ongoing assignment with an open timeframe; at the end of the unit, the body of these writings will allow you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.” Remember, this is an ongoing assignment with an open timeframe; at the end of the unit, the body of these writings will allow you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.” You may work until the end of the period. You may work until the end of the period.