Immortality and eternity: different conceptions of the Afterlife

What answers come from having more life? And what, if anything, is ethically valuable about the idea of an afterlife? In seeking to answer these questions, we venture into various areas of philosophy; ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language. We consider alternative pictures to the dogmatic view of eternal life as immortality, i.e. 'more life'. Through retrospective analysis of Christian teachings and those of philosophers such as Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bergson and Wittgenstein, we will expose a profound and equally valid interpretation of eternal life as mortality.

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Engage in and reflect on contemporary philosophical debates in the philosophy of religion;

2. Develop an understanding of concepts central to a discussion of the afterlife:
a) Religious meaning;
b) Time;
c) Immortality; and
d) Necessity.

3. Identify and better contextualise the thought of certain philosophers:
a) Henri Bergson;
b) Baruch Spinoza;
c) Friedrich Nietzsche;
d) Simone Weil; and
e) Ludwig Wittgenstein

Content

The course centres on a specific question, namely “what, if anything, is ethically valuable about the idea of an afterlife?” In seeking to answer this question, we shall venture into various areas of philosophy, including ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language. Particular attention will be paid to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy of religion which offers a compelling alternative to both theism and atheism.

Presentation of the course

The course comprises formal lectures incorporating interactive presentations and discussion sessions wherein students will be invited to reflect, comment and pass judgement on the ideas contained within the lectures.

1: Introduction and outline
A brief outline of the course structure and aims. We will begin with a brief analysis of Henri Bergson’s philosophy of ‘duration’ as a qualitative (rather than quantitative) multiplicity. This helps to introduce students to relevant themes, eg immortality versus eternity, in a secular setting and inducts those new to philosophy to philosophical techniques of conceptual analysis and argumentation.

2: What answers come from having more life?
An introduction to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s (1889-1951) philosophy of religion followed by acritical analysis of an understanding of the afterlife as “more life”. Theoretical opposition as well as ethical objections will be considered.

3: Life viewed Sub Specie Aeternitatis: Spinoza on necessity and eternity.
We will move towards an alternative conception of the afterlife by first examining Baruch Spinoza’s (1632-1677) unique form of naturalism. Shocking in his own time, Spinoza sets forth an account of nature wherein its every aspect is part of a whole. Taking note of this, we shall introduce a new conception of the afterlife as this life seen sub specie aeternitatis, ie under the aspect of eternity.

4: What answers come from an eternal life?
The alternative conception of the afterlife introduced in the previous session will be critically assessed according to the same measures implemented in Session 3. In particular, we will critically assess a conception of the afterlife based on Friedrich Nietzsche’s (1844-1900) idea of the eternal return. We shall then ask if eternal life is, practically speaking, a suitable alternative to “more life”. Does this alternative conception of the afterlife—as eternal life—offer us as much (in the way of hope) as the promise of more life?

5: Religion or ethics? And what, in this case, is the difference?
A further reason why these two, differing conceptions of the afterlife might not be thought comparable is that only one appears to correspond to a strictly religious conception of the afterlife. We shall confront this potential shortfall and ask whether or not it is important.

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.