Eternal oblivion

Oblivion, or eternal oblivion, is the philosophical concept that the individual self permanently ceases to exist after death. Belief in oblivion denies that there is an afterlife (such as a Heaven, Purgatory or Hell), or any state of existence or consciousness after death.

The belief in "eternal oblivion" stems from the hypothesis that the brain creates the mind; therefore, when the brain dies, the mind ceases to exist. Some reporters describe this state as "nothingness".^[1][2] Many people who believe in an eternal oblivion, believe that the concept of an afterlife is scientifically impossible. Such views are typically held by atheists.^[3][4][5]

In the Apology of Socrates (written by Plato), at the conclusion after Socrates is sentenced to death, he addresses the court. He ponders on the nature of death, and summarizes that there are basically two opinions about it. The first is that it is a migration of the soul or consciousness from this existence into another, and that the souls of all previously deceased people will also be there. This excites Socrates, because he will be able to conduct his dialectic inquiries with all of the great heroes and thinkers of the past. The other opinion about death is that it is oblivion, the complete cessation of consciousness, not only unable to feel but a complete lack of awareness, like a man in a deep, dreamless sleep. Socrates says that even this oblivion does not frighten him very much, because while he would be unaware, he would correspondingly be free from any pain or suffering. Indeed, Socrates asks, not even the great King of Persia could say that he ever rested so soundly and peacefully as he did in a dreamless sleep.

See also

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Oblivion

• Afterlife
• Annihilationism
• Neuroscience
• Sheol and Hades
• Unconsciousness

References