Is There an Afterlife? – Modern Koans

Question: Is There an Afterlife?

A common response: We will eventually find out. In the meantime, I want to live like there is one, because it makes me a better person. If it didn’t, there would be no purpose to this life.

My response: I agree and disagree with this typical response

I agree that we will eventually find out (or not be able to find out). But generally, I think the idea of an afterlife is too loose to make any kind of claim about its veracity.  Ask a few questions about the details and the idea implodes.

For instance, what is it that survives into the afterlife?  It’s certainly not our bodies. If it is a soul, what is that? If the soul is separate from the senses, how could we possibly experience the afterlife?  If the brain carries our memories and is destroyed at death, how does the soul know who it is in the afterlife? If the soul isn’t us, than can we actually say “we” will experience an afterlife? I could go on. Generally, the simple question “is there an afterlife?” is not answerable and probably doesn’t offer any insight for us to benefit from.

Generally, the simple question “is there an afterlife?” is not answerable and probably doesn't offer…
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On the next point, I disagree that the afterlife might provide incentive and purpose to this life.

Humans respond best to intermittent (repeated, but somewhat random) reinforcement. Our behavior is much less likely to change in response to a large but entirely uncertain payoff. I think we all have higher principles that we aspire to live by, all religions espouse them, but truly internalizing them and bucking our internal wiring is a huge challenge. Aspirations beyond what is natural seems at odds with the world as it is and if you believe in a creator, it seems at odds with them as well.

Aspirations beyond what is natural seems at odds with the world as it is and if you believe in a…
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As for purpose, this is well understood. Evolution has established that we are DNA replicating and transmitting machines. Any other purpose would likely be contrived unless it had the same weight of proof behind it as say evolution.

I have one last piece of advice about being a better person. When playing with others, consider the findings of the prisoner’s dilemma, which teaches us that a combination of cooperation and effective deterrents lead to the best outcomes for everyone. I find that of all religions, Buddhism seems most aligned with these scientific findings. If we are awake, we will be capable of viewing the world as it is (and less about seeing the world through the prism of a world view).  If you are awake, you are able to naturally respond to the world as it is, of course using our special proclivity to overrule our DNA’s programming – our minds – as is needed in this modern world. This will make you a better and happier person.

What is your opinion on the afterlife?  Is the question worth your time and energy?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton

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The post Is There an Afterlife? – Modern Koans written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.