Would anyone here prefer non existence to an after life following death ?

[MAJOR METAL]

Would anyone here prefer non existence to a life after death ? Lets keep this out of particular religion and more in the realm of metaphysics and philosophy so we can generate a fruitful discussion on the topic. This is a question I am pondering myself and my answer would be greatly based on what chracteristics I would retain in an inmaterial soul state. Non exsitance certainly has a fascinating trait to it.

[Atoz]

Assuming there's no memory of this life in the next one if it exists, I guess it doesn't really make any difference to me; as I wouldn't know either way.

[Dirk Diggler]

I didn't know there was a choice?

Dirk
p.s. sorry I couldn't resist.

[bongomania]

I fully expect non-existence (at least in a self-aware individual sense). I have no preference, as there is no logical argument -even within faith- settling how one is to obtain a pleasing or displeasing afterlife. Since I logically can't influence the process, nor can I realistically forsee what it actually might be like, how can I have a preference?

[spudmaster34]

I supose it would entirely depend on what the following life was like. If it were to be like the christian idea of hell, I would chose nonexistence.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Since I logically can't influence the process, nor can I realistically forsee what it actually might be like, how can I have a preference?

Since you like to, you know, be?

Even on my most boring day, it was a lot more exciting than my life was before I was born or is when I'm sleeping but not dreaming. I'd dig something, although I'm not expecting it.

[MakiSupaStar]

The only afterlife I would consider would be if I returned as a pair of underpants on sexy asian chick.

[Sir Edward V]

I have thought about this topic a lot, but it freaks me out to think of not existing. seriously, I spaz out, sometimes cry, etc...

I try to not think about it so I don't have to go through the spazzing... but we have no way of knowing what will happen when we die.

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

I have thought about this topic a lot, but it freaks me out to think of not existing. seriously, I spaz out, sometimes cry, etc...

I thought about it over the summer and almost had a panic attack.
Weird, weird, weiiird moment.

[Brent's Groove]

Originally Posted by Valerus

I thought about it over the summer and almost had a panic attack.
Weird, weird, weiiird moment.

Panic attacks definitely are WEIRD. Usually, when I have a real bad one, I can't help but think about Non-existance vs. Afterlife.

As far as the original topic goes, I think I'd prefer non-existance. I just can't convince myself that an afterlife is possible, much less something I'd enjoy. The way I see it, we came from nothing and that's where we'll end up.

As crappy as my life on Earth can be, I still love it, and I'd be totally fine if it's the only life I ever get.

[Matt_W]

I'm fine with non-existance, I can't see why it would be scary, you wouldn't know anything about it - you can't be consciously aware of not existing. As of yet, I have not heard of an appealing afterlife (at least not one with drawbacks that would not drive me insane over the expanse of eternity, so yeah, I welcome ceasing to exist.

[Matt_W]

Originally Posted by Brent's Groove

As crappy as my life on Earth can be, I still love it, and I'd be totally fine if it's the only life I ever get.

Wise words. I think if more people thought this was the only life they would get, they might make more of an effort to enjoy it.

[mattq]

i don't like the idea non-existence. the ramifications of that to me are too depressing. 80 years on a floating rock (out of the the multitudes of years of time so far) and then that's it? call it a dependency issue if you want to, but i need to be a part of something bigger than that

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by mattq

i don't like the idea non-existence. the ramifications of that to me are too depressing. 80 years on a floating rock (out of the the multitudes of years of time so far) and then that's it? call it a dependency issue if you want to, but i need to be a part of something bigger than that

And there you have the basis of all religions!

[f'nar f'nar]

I'm neither here nor there. If I completely stop existing then I will be unaware of my non-existance and it wont matter... I suppose one should think of it like going back to your state of self-awareness from before you where born... i.e: NO state.

[Mark Latimour]

It depends, if the afterlife was eternity in a room with Morf and Bruce Lindfield listening to them go on and on and on about whatever they know least about....i'll take non-existence thankyou.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Have you read Jean-Paul Sartre's "Huis Clos" ...that about sums it up!

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by mattq

i don't like the idea non-existence. the ramifications of that to me are too depressing. 80 years on a floating rock (out of the the multitudes of years of time so far) and then that's it? call it a dependency issue if you want to, but i need to be a part of something bigger than that

Do you know how weak and feeble that sounds? At least you won't be able to mope about when you die, if you could I imagine you would be most disappointed with "whats beyond the veil"!

[Jonyak]

My view on consciousness....

Think about it as a large bowl of water. When you are born you are but a splash of water exiting the greater bowl. When you die, your drop of water goes back into the bowl.

[neurotictim]

Originally Posted by Jonyak

When you are born you are but a splash of water exiting the greater bowl. When you die, your drop of water goes back into the bowl.

I like it. I think reincarnation isn't as far-fetched as it sounds, but in all truth, I prefer to focus on living a good life, as opposed to worrying about what will happen when it's over.