Do We Survive Death? A Critique of The Belief in After life


Socrates Ebo
Head, Department of Philosophy, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria

Abstract

Death is an existential puzzle man has always grappled with. The question of survival of death interrogates the brute abruptness and probable finality of death. Man considers himself an elevated, unique and special being that is too valuable to be reduced to the finality of an apparent waste, nothingness and meaninglessness occasioned by death. History shows that man has never willingly surrendered to the idea that death would put an end to his endeavors and being. Thus, the quest for, and the belief in the survival of death and the afterlife have always been strong and recurrent themes in the odyssey human of existence. Do we survive death? This work philosophically investigates this question, the bases of the question, the expectations surrounding the question and the answers humanity has given to the question over the years; and the possibility of an afterlife. The approach to this research is speculative and analytic. This work would give critical insights into the issues in contention; expand the conversation on the meaning of death, attempt a synthesis, and offer new vistas on the perennial discourse regarding the fate man at death.

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