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Philosophy The forum for the discussion and debate of general philosophy & epistemology

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  #1  
Old 1st November 2009, 03:05 PM
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Is it possible for yourself to cease to exist?

First of all can we make the assumption that I do actually exist... (actually if you want to challenge that then feel free, I'm sure there is someone here who is eager to tie me in knots, and it is interesting)

Personally, I can't possibly experience my own non-existance. Does that mean that non-existance from my pov does not exist? And would it follow that I will always exist, since my non-existance is an impossibility to me?

I actually believe that when we die, that's it, no more experiences, quite straightforward. I thought it might be interesting if anyone has any other philisophical views on that though, not really too interested in biblical references or anything like that though...
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  #2  
Old 1st November 2009, 10:15 PM
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And would it follow that I will always exist, since my non-existance is an impossibility to me?
it's an impossibility for you to experience, but it's not an actual impossibility.
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Old 2nd November 2009, 06:44 PM
God?? What do you mean?

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Originally Posted by underpressure View Post
First of all can we make the assumption that I do actually exist... (actually if you want to challenge that then feel free, I'm sure there is someone here who is eager to tie me in knots, and it is interesting)
I am tempted to challenge the concept of an "I/me/self", but since I don´t think this question is crucial for the question you ask I will abstain from doing so for the time being.

Personally, I can't possibly experience my own non-existance.
Yes, that´s obvious to the point of triviality. No disagreement.
Does that mean that non-existance from my pov does not exist?
Well, I am assuming that (notwithstanding all the problems that come with the concept of "person") you observe persons ceasing to exist, so I conclude that even from your pov the difference between existence and non-existence is experienced.
And would it follow that I will always exist, since my non-existance is an impossibility to me?
No, doesn´t follow. Just like your inability to experience yourself sleeping or having lost your consciousness doesn´t force the conclusion that people can´t sleep or lose their consciousness.
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Why I call myself a „non-believer“ or „atheist“:
I can´t relate to any of the god concepts I´m familiar with so far.
Either I´m not convinced by the concept, or
– although not having a problem with the worldview itself -
I see no reason to call one of its elements „God“:
There are already more precise, more common, less loaded and less likely to be misunderstood terms for these elements.
E.g. I prefer to call nature „nature“, the universe „universe“ and everything „everything“.

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Old 3rd November 2009, 04:58 AM
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Originally Posted by daniel777 View Post
it's an impossibility for you to experience, but it's not an actual impossibility.
Couldn't put it better myself.
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What can be asserted without reason, can be denied without reason.
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"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything."
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Old 3rd November 2009, 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by underpressure View Post
First of all can we make the assumption that I do actually exist...
Certainly. I'd hate to be here talking to myself.

Personally, I can't possibly experience my own non-existance.
True.

Does that mean that non-existance from my pov does not exist?
No, it means you can't directly experience your own non-existence. Nothing more.

And would it follow that I will always exist, since my non-existance is an impossibility to me?
You will always exist for as long as you exist. Your life is "your eternity", but it is also just a handful of decades.


eudaimonia,

Mark
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