In our last post, we highlighted how Taoism and Confucianism, along with Buddhism and David Hume, hold the view that the self is not a fixed, independent entity, but a constantly changing process. In addition, Derek Parfit (1942 – 2017), widely considered one of the most important and influential moral philosophers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, shared a similar view. Continue reading Derek Parfit: Do We Live On After Death?
Nick Bostrom (1973 – ) holds a PhD from the London School of Economics (2000). He is a co-founder of the World Transhumanist Association (now called Humanity+) and co–founder of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. Continue reading Summary of Nick Bostrom’s, “The Fable of the Dragon-Tyrant”
James Lenman is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. He did his undergraduate work at Oxford University and received his Ph.D. from St. Andrews University. Continue reading Summary of James Lenman’s “Immortality: A Letter”
John Leslie (1940 – ) is currently Professor emeritus at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada. In his essay “Why Not Let Life Become Extinct?” he argues that we ought not to embrace the view that extinction would be best. Continue reading John Leslie’s, “Why Not Let Life Become Extinct?”
Steven Luper is Professor of Philosophy at Trinity University in San Antonio Texas. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1982. In his essay “Annihilation,” he argues that death is a terrible thing and that Epicurus’ indifference to death is badly mistaken.[i] Continue reading Summary of Steven Luper’s, “Annihilation”