Compare and contrast two beliefs about life after death Essay Sample

mind and body are indivisible, and any mental activity or awareness arises from brain function. Therefore, individuals are essentially a product of their genes, and as the brain perishes with the body, an eternal psyche is impossible.

According to Dawkins, the only conceivable explanation is that of evolution. He believes that worlds serve as carriers of information and DNA, and our physical makeup is determined by our family genetics.

The changes that occur in our mind are a result of development, not efforts to guide us towards thinking. The psyche is not continuous, only DNA endures. This concept is explored by Dawkins who examines consciousness and the individualism inherent within humans as a result of DNA working in tandem. Rather than viewing ourselves as a collective, we are better understood as a complete entity.

According to Dawkins, the cooperation of our cistrons is motivated by their desire for endurance. However, he argues that with the evolution of consciousness, reproduction is no longer the main driving force of modern-day development. Dawkins further suggests that human thinking has become misguided as people attempt to assign meaning to life, including subscribing to a spiritual philosophy that promises rewards in the afterlife like Eden.

If individuals learned to reason like scientists and rejected beliefs about an afterlife and a deity, they could improve their existence. Although soft materialists acknowledge that the brain ceases to function after death, they contend that consciousness transcends a mere brain process. Moreover, they maintain that while the body and mind are linked, they are not independent of one another. The rational side of an individual is a constituent of the brain process, however, it perishes with

the body.

Soft materialists believe that the lack of scientific proof prevents both affirmation and negation of the soul's existence. They argue that while matter constitutes the body, the soul cannot be localized. Therefore, life solely relies on the body as it cannot operate without it.

It's commonly assumed that materialists have no belief in life beyond death. However, some hold onto the idea that there is indeed an afterlife. To achieve this, the body and mind must remain connected, resulting in the body being resurrected once it has ceased living.

The Recreation Theory postulates that the entire physical being persists even after death. John Hick contends that there exist circumstances where the deceased can exist after death, given an exact replica of their memories and attributes. The incredible power of God makes this simulation of the deceased entirely plausible, as though death may destroy us, God can resuscitate us.

St Paul also discusses the concept of Resurrection, referring to how the physical body shall rise and be changed into a superior form, with religious connotations such as a seed turning into fruit. Despite being identical to its original form, the consequence is distinct. An essential and fundamental question posed by Hicks' theory of reproduction raises this matter pertaining to work.

The question is whether the "I" that existed before death is the same as the "I" in the afterlife when reincarnated. To address this, Hick presents a hypothetical story about John Smith who lived in the US. One day, Smith vanished without a trace while his friends watched. At the exact moment of his disappearance, a replica of Smith with identical physical and mental features appeared in

India.

Vardy questions Hick's argument that if John Smith was recreated by God in another universe, he would still be the same individual as long as he was perceived as such by himself and others. Vardy challenges the concept of reproduction equating to sameness, asking if this is enough. Hick's biggest criticism is that he fails to address the issue of continuity.

According to Vardy, the lack of continuity would result in a different individual being replicated. Bernard Williams opposes Hicks' concept of an eternal life through reproduction, arguing that it would be meaningless and boring. Dualism is the belief that the mind and body are distinct substances and that survival after death is possible.

According to the text, the human existence comprises of physical bodies and non-physical minds. The mind is considered essential to a person, and Plato discusses its importance in his book The Republic. Plato believes that the soul belongs to a higher world than the body and is immortal. He also states that everything has a presence in the universe of forms, which is a spiritual reality. Essentially, only the soul exists in this reality.

Plato believes that the soul's ultimate goal is to fully understand the world of ideas, including ascending to the realm of forms and returning to its origin. He advocates for the pre-existence of the soul and argues that conflicts between body and mind stem from material needs versus preoccupation with thoughts. The soul aims to free itself from bodily confinement and material chains.

Plato utilized a tale of an subterranean cavern having an open entrance towards the light to clarify the distinction between body and soul. Within the cavern, there

is a lineup of prisoners with their backs facing the entrance.

These captives are bound and cannot travel, as if trapped in another world. A bright fire flickers behind them.

Plato describes in his allegory of the cave how people and their shadows are constantly projected onto the wall, accompanied by echoing voices. All those who have been captive in this cave at any time perceive only these shadows and echoes, leading them to assume that this is the entirety of their world. (Source: AS and A Level Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion for A Level Second Edition by Anne Jordan and Neil Locker, in paperback.)

The book "Edexcel AS Religious Studies: Student Book" is authored by Ms. Sarah K Tyler, Mr. Gordon Reid, Mr. Jon Mayled, and Dominique Messent with Edwin Tate.

Gopinder Kaur and Ms. Jennifer Smith are reviewing the answers for A Level Philosophy and Ethics by Patrick Clarke, which is available in paperback format.