Immortality is an idea that most people seem to think is really simple and easy to understand.
But is it really?
Is survival of the self after death an idea that really makes sense?
And, now that we think about it, what is personal identity itself actually all that clear?
For this topic, first read John Perry's "A Dialogue on Personal Identity
and Immortality" (link below) which is an exploration of the idea
of personal immortality, and all its logical implications, making
notes as you go, and then think about which
view of immortality, or of personal identity, is most likely to be
correct. You don't have to cover both topics, or to come to come to a
final, definitive conclusion. When you have thought as much as you can
about this stuff, write up the results of your thinking in, not a
traditional essay, but just a bunch of words that starts with your overall
impression of the issue, a discussion of your reasons for thinking what
you think, any argument you know of for the opposing view, and
finally, what if anything you think is logically wrong with that opposing
argument.
After you've had a go at the dialog, you might find one or two of the following links helpful:
Old Science Fiction TV Episode: Playhouse 90 - PROJECT IMMORTALITY
Study Questions for John Perry, A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality
Video: Perry's dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality
Video:
Perry's Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality First Night
John Perry Argument Reconstruction
Copyright © 2023 by Martin C. Young
