Greatly affected by the physical mortal life

Reference no: EM13519584

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: Do you think it matters whether the soul is immortal when we are thinking about how to live a good human life? Why or why not? Try to provide thoughtful reasons that you think anyone might find persuasive and not just someone from a particular type of background.

Reply to following post:

Whether the soul is immortal or not should have little relevance in whether people live a good human life. With the concept of an immortal soul people give themselves an excuse to do good, typically to avoid some sort of punishment or to give themselves a better lot in either their next life or in the afterlife. This seems to negate the idea of doing good simply to do good. Why be cruel when you can be kind? Why horde when you can share? Why hate when you can love? Why bring the focus to yourself when you can be and do good for the sake of others? "I am good because God/the Gods/Goddesses tell me to." Do you really need that motivation? Is not the happiness you give other people motivation enough? With concern over their immortal self, people do good out of fear of punishment or retribution. Fear is no reason to do good. Good should be done solely for its own benefit. If the soul should be mortal and tied solely to this body, after which it would cease to exist does that mean we shouldn't do good? Ignoring the argument about what constitutes "good" one could soundly argue that we should still strive to do good. If the soul is in fact immortal, is it likely to be something that is greatly affected by the physical mortal life?

Reference no: EM13519584

Questions Cloud

What is philosophy-skeptic recommend suspending judgment : Why does the skeptic recommend suspending judgment as a key to happiness? What is Philosophy?

What distinction does stoicism rest-what is virtue : On what distinction does Stoicism rest? Explain how making this distinction is the key, for the Stoic, to both happiness and freedom. How are God and nature related? What of evil? What does it mean to post one's will in line with nature? Why doesn't..

What kind of a thing is virtue-what is practical wisdom : What kind of a thing is virtue? Can virtue be taught? How? Is virtue just one? Or are there many virtues? Explain Aristotle's doctrine of the mean. Why is it "a hard job to be good"? What is practical wisdom?

Criticisms of the form of the good as a basis for ethics : Why does Aristotle say that ethics cannot be an exact science? Give two criticisms of the Form of the Good as a basis for ethics. WHy does Aristotle think happiness is the highest good? Why cannot pleasure be the essence of happiness? WHy not honor o..

Greatly affected by the physical mortal life : Whether the soul is immortal or not should have little relevance in whether people live a good human life. With the concept of an immortal soul people give themselves an excuse to do good, typically to avoid some sort of punishment or to give them..

What is distinction plato draws between science-dialectic : Draw Plato's Divided Line and explain what each of its parts represent. What two relationships exist between a Form and some visible thing that "participates" in it? What is the distinction Plato draws between "science" and "dialectic," and how doe..

Crito urges upon socrates for making his escape : List at least seven reasons Crito urges upon Socrates for making his escape. (Using the answer from #1) State the rebuttal offered by the laws. Who is more persuasive -- Crito or the laws?

Organ transplant is a social issue : Organ transplant is a social issue that involves the allocation of scarce resources. Refraining from doing so would result in illegal organ trading with a its unethical implications. Discuss how would utilitarions, kantians, and ethical egoists would..

Distinguishing between religious studies-religious education : What is religious studies distinguishing between religious studies, religious education and theology as different ways of studying religion ?

User Account

All Pages