The religious belief in personal immortality depends on the evidence for the existence of God, an immaterial soul or mind, and human nature. We also need to support the view that God will always want to maintain relationships with us in the afterlife. So, immortality is a hard sell. The suffering of innocent victims suggests that the existence of a loving God is not self-evident. Furthermore, the soul's separation from the body at death raises the troublesome problem of personal identity. How can that be me in the afterlife without my body? The tradition from Plato to Descartes plants the seed of personal immortality in our rational nature. But the deconstruction of human nature suggests that our species is not special. Yet, the belief in immortality lingers.
The first step in the reconstruction of personal immortality is found in systems theory, or belief that the whole individuates the part. This view suggests that we are the outcome of relationships rather than eternal natures entering into relationships. We are the product of relationships taking place at three basic levels. 1. In psyche where being human is the result of a tendency toward good and evil. 2. As social entities where the existence of other human beings individuates us. 3. In being's unconcealment where the intelligibility of things provides a foundation for epistemic life. Heidegger's view of the nothing or horizon surrounding being allows us to identify God as creator entering into personal relationships with us - a view supported by contemporary science.
That will be me in the afterlife, if the relationships that individuate me in my pre-mortem state continue into my post-mortem existence. The reversal in being's unconcealment suggests that human death continues the cycle of personal existence.

About the Author

Kenneth A. Bryson is Professor of Philosophy at the University College of Cape Breton, where he has taught since 1970. He has held a teaching appointment at the University of Ottawa, and visiting appointments at l’Universit� de Moncton, Mount Saint Vincent University, Le CEGEP R�gional de la C�te Nord, P.Q., and the University of Wales, Lampeter, U.K. He received his Ph.D. degree at the University of Ottawa, with a dissertation on the metaphysics of Emile Meyerson’s philosophy of mind. He developed an interest in the philosophy of death and dying as a way of introducing students to philosophy. It has since become one of his primary research areas. He has published five books, including Flowers and Death, now in its tenth year and third edition. The central issue that animates his work is the belief that eternal truths exist.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We are a local secondhand bookshop serving the South Western area of Manitoba specializing in Local, Western Canadian, and Military History, with books in all others fields. Corporate name George Strange Ltd. Trading as George Strange's Bookmart Business number 122591555MC0001 all shares owned by George Strange. George Strange authorized representative.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

George Strange Ltd.
653 - 10th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4G6, Canada

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Payment via Visa, Mastercard, cheque (once processed), and money order accepted.
Returns accepted if books don't match description. The Goods and Services tax of
7% is added to all orders.

Right of cancellation

If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION

Statutory Right to cancel

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, George Strange's Bookmart, 653 - 10th Street, R7A 4G6, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, +1 1-204-728-2633, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Effects of cancellation

If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or George Strange's Bookmart, 653 - 10th Street, R7A 4G6, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, +1 1-204-728-2633, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of cancellation

The right of cancellation does not apply to:

the delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
the supply of digital content (including ebooks) which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not cancel it once delivery had started.

Model withdrawal form

(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)

To: (George Strange's Bookmart, 653 - 10th Street, R7A 4G6, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, +1 1-204-728-2633)

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),

Ordered on (*)/received on (*)

Name of consumer(s)

Address of consumer(s)

Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)

Date

* Delete as appropriate.

Shipping Terms

Books are typically packaged in bubble-wrap air-mailers. Insurance is not generally included. Oversize, large and heavy books may incur additional shipping charges. Please note that international shipping will occassionally take longer than the quoted shipping time and may cost more than the quoted shipping price.

Shipping rates from Canada to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from Canada to U.S.A.
Order quantity	10 to 28 business days	7 to 22 business days
First item	� 31.64	� 39.09

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.