Immortality or Extinction?

## IMMORTALITY OR EXTINCTION? Is life after death a real possibility? The authors seek to show that this is a substantive question. They criticise philosophers who argue that talk of life after death is unintelligible, and take to task theologians who stipulate that the language of immortality and resurrection refers solely to life here and now. However, it is one thing to show that talk oflife after death is not logical nonsense and that such language essentially refers to some future state. It is quite another to find convincing grounds for such a prospect. And the empirical case for extinction, which depends primarily on the evidence of the natural sciences, is impressive. Moreover the traditional Christian doctrinal framework has become so attenuated as to be unable to supply any substantial support for belief in life after death. But while 'normal' science points decisively towards extinction certain paranormal data suggest the contrary. The authors pay special attention to 'near-death experiences', as well as considering psychical research and claimed 'memories' of former lives. While they argue that such claimed 'memories' (even if regarded as veridical) are not evidence of personal survival, they find near-death experiences and the best cases provided by psychical research suggestive of continued personal life after death. The authors find such apparently well-evidenced paranormal data irreconcilable with the implications of normal science, and there seem to be compelling arguments both for and against belief in immortal life. For the religious believer, the balance may be tipped by his experience of a relationship with God which he trusts God will hold in being through death. And although much traditional doctrine has been discarded, this experientially-based hope remains central to Christianity. However for those who doubt the objective reality of the religious dimension, the arguments for extinction may win the day. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Logic of Mortality....Pages 3-15 The Meaning of Resurrection, Immortality and Eternal Life....Pages 16-36 Front Matter....Pages 37-37 The Naturalistic Case for Extinction....Pages 39-50 The Attenuation of Doctrinal Support for Belief in a Future Life....Pages 51-67 Front Matter....Pages 69-69 The Evidence from Near-death Experiences....Pages 71-89 The Evidence from Psychical Research....Pages 90-98 Claimed Memories of Former Lives....Pages 99-109 Front Matter....Pages 111-111 Immortality or Extinction?....Pages 113-123 Back Matter....Pages 124-146