If human beings have only one life, I.e., there is no existence after death, the only concern as far as being happy in this life is to find a way to be in that state for as long as possible either continuously or in long bursts till they die, as death is inevitable. Even an unhappy life has to be endured only till such time as death intervenes to provide release. In other words, even the worst journey is time limited. If this is accepted, it has many repercussions that follow.
1. It provides a different perspective on end of life decisions.
2. It should enable persons to not worry about death (apart from concern about how it would affect others who are left behind and possibly fears about the process of dying itself.
3. It would make it more urgent to focus our mind on making best use of our lives now.
1. It provides a different perspective on end of life decisions.
2. It should enable persons to not worry about death (apart from concern about how it would affect others who are left behind and possibly fears about the process of dying itself.
3. It would make it more urgent to focus our mind on making best use of our lives now.
4. Potentially lead in some instances, for a deterioration in moral behaviour for those who lead moral lives only or mainly because of fear of repercussions in the next life.
If there is life after death, why is it not obvious? For such a significant truth about lives, why is it so “hidden”? One would reasonably expect well documented and well authenticated accounts of previous lives. While there are accounts in the literature, they are of questionable accuracy.
If there is life after death, why is it not obvious? For such a significant truth about lives, why is it so “hidden”? One would reasonably expect well documented and well authenticated accounts of previous lives. While there are accounts in the literature, they are of questionable accuracy.
Our recollection of past events even in this life is incomplete. How many of us recall our first 2-3 years of life? Is it then reasonable to expect memories of past lives to persist?
Even if there was a past existence, if we have no recollection of it at all, is there any point in being concerned with the possibility of a previous life? And if a new life were to follow, why should we worry about it as we wouldn’t be aware of the transition.
If life does continue after death, there are major questions to be answered as to its mechanism. All what we know about the Universe has been through scientific inquiry. As our knowledge advances, the proportion of phenomena attributed to “supernatural” ones, decrease. Science is still advancing and we have not reached the point where all phenomena could be explained. There is very reason to believe that this process will continue and that we will be able to explain many hitherto unexplained phenomena by application of the scientific method of enquiry. The submission that understanding of the Universe can be realised through “thinking” or meditation or introspection is open to question although it forms the basis of many religions. The fact that these Religious teachers who claimed to have a full understanding of the Universe lived hundreds of years ago when our understanding of the World was relatively miniscule, does not appear to matter as they gained their “knowledge” either through deep thought or alleged divine revealation.
This leads to debate on concepts such as existence of “body” and “mind” (or soul) as separate entities. The body is apparent and visible although it may be undergoing constant change but the mind or soul persists even though that itself may be undergoing constant change. There is a clear and evident connection between who you are now and who you were before but such a connection is not clearly apparent in the case of the mind, assuming of course that there is a body/mind separation. The alternative view is that the mind is something that arises within a living body and the existence of a living body is a sine qua non for the existence of a mind. Consciousness has various meanings but could be included within the broad heading of a “mind”.
There is also the assumption by many that consciousness, self-awareness and other features of the mind are unique to human beings. This specially applies to human centric beliefs which are common to most religions. The Human centric aspect goes beyond that in some cases to the extent that it extends to the whole Universe. Man is at the Centre and signifies the whole “purpose” of the Universe. From time immemorial, Man has been naturally curious. Man seeks explanations and some Men also seek purpose and it is not surprising that answers to “purpose” are not available as in my view; the question is meaningless unless you are Theist.
Morality could be based on a system of rewards and punishments operating through the need to please or satisfy supernatural forces who are responsible for our outcomes. Morality also could be based on a different system of reward or punishment through a cause-effect system where good acts beget good outcomes although how acts are classified as good or bad is not immediately clear.
If life does persist in some form, is it applicable only to mankind? If it extends to animals, at what level does it operate? Could an amoeba be reborn? Could an animal die and be reborn as an animal? Could animals operate in a cause-effect system?
If death is followed by passing onto another form of existence, is it a permanent state (good - heaven) or (bad - hell)? Does a man who goes to hell suffer eternal damnation? Does a man who goes to Heaven enjoy eternal happiness?
