“Do We Survive Death?”
Thesis: The idea of an immortal soul is a controversial topic since there is not enough evidence to really know what happen after we die. In this chapter, Rachels analyzes three main points of the evidence of a soul that is immortal which include near-death experiences, reincarnation, and psychic communication with the death.
Summary: In the “Do We Survive Death” Rachels shows an important theory that relates to Socrates’ belief in an immortal soul. Socrates believed that being dead consisted in the departure of the soul from the body (38). Socrates assumed that each human is composed of a physical body and a nonphysical, simple, soul that cannot be destroyed. He said that unlike a physical thing, the soul cannot be burned, crushed, or mangled (39). But Rachels explains that Socrates’ argument had a great influence and was adopted by Christian thinkers. Socrates idea was that the soul could not be destroyed. However, Christians believed only God could bring you back to life after you die (39). Moreover, Rachels points out three possible pieces of evidence for an afterlife. The first evidence Rachels presents is the near-death …show more content…
Do souls have a beginning? If so, do they have an end? Is there enough evidence for an afterlife? Is there enough evidence to disapprove the existence of an eternal life? Was Socrates the first one to bring the idea of an immortal soul? Is our spirit different from our soul? Can Rachels’ arguments be biased as he seems to always disagree with any religious beliefs? Is the afterlife considered a miracle? Do our souls stay here on earth or do they go to either heaven or hell? Why would God create too many souls that will go to hell? Do animals also have a soul? If reincarnation exists, can we take an animal body? Is the afterlife considered a miracle? Was Hume questioning about the existence of miracles or was he really questioning the existence of