Self and life after death — AQA A-Level Religious Studies

This topic explores philosophical and religious perspectives on the nature of the self and the possibility of life after death, including dualist (Plato, Descartes) and materialist (Hick, Dawkins) views, and religious teachings on resurrection and reincarnation. It examines the criteria for personal identity and the coherence of afterlife beliefs, crucial for AQA A-Level Religious Studies.

This topic examines philosophical and religious questions about the nature of the self and whether there is any form of existence after death. It is central to the AQA A-Level Religious Studies course, as it engages with fundamental questions about human identity, the soul, and the meaning of life. The topic is divided into two main areas: philosophical views of the self (dualism and materialism) and religious beliefs about the afterlife (resurrection, reincarnation, and the immortality of the soul).

Philosophically, the debate centres on whether humans are purely physical beings (materialism) or have a non-physical component (dualism). Thinkers like Plato and Descartes argue for a soul that can exist independently of the body, while modern scientists and philosophers like Richard Dawkins argue that consciousness is entirely a product of brain activity. This debate has profound implications for the possibility of life after death.

Religiously, traditions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism teach bodily resurrection, while Hinduism and Buddhism believe in reincarnation. These beliefs raise questions about personal identity: what makes a person the same person after death? John Hick's 'replica theory' attempts to address this, but it has been criticised. Understanding these debates is essential for evaluating the coherence and plausibility of afterlife beliefs.

• →Dualism: the view that humans consist of two distinct substances – the physical body and the non-physical soul/mind.
• →Materialism: the view that humans are purely physical; there is no soul or non-physical mind.
• →Personal identity: the criteria that determine whether a person at one time is the same person at another time (e.g., memory, body, soul).
• →Resurrection: the belief that after death, the body is raised and reunited with the soul (e.g., in Christianity).
• →Reincarnation: the belief that the soul is reborn in a new body after death (e.g., in Hinduism and Buddhism).

• Descartes' argument for the existence of the soul
• The nature of the body/soul relationship
• The possibility of continuing personal existence after death

• 💡Ensure you can clearly explain Descartes' dualist position.
• 💡Be prepared to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments for and against the existence of the soul.
• 💡Focus on the philosophical implications of the body/soul relationship regarding life after death.
• 💡Use precise philosophical terminology (e.g., 'substance dualism', 'physicalism', 'personal identity') to demonstrate knowledge.
• 💡Always link your arguments to specific scholars or religious texts (e.g., Plato's Phaedo, Descartes' Meditations, Dawkins' The God Delusion, 1 Corinthians 15).
• 💡For evaluation questions, ensure you present both strengths and weaknesses of each view, and reach a justified conclusion.

• Misconception: The soul is a 'ghost' that leaves the body at death. Correction: In philosophy, the soul is a concept used to explain consciousness and identity; it is not necessarily a ghostly entity.
• Misconception: All Christians believe in the immortality of the soul. Correction: Some Christians emphasise bodily resurrection rather than the soul's immortality, and there is debate about the intermediate state.
• Misconception: Materialists cannot believe in life after death. Correction: Some materialists might believe in a form of afterlife through ideas like resurrection (e.g., John Hick, though he is not a materialist, but some argue for a physical resurrection).

1. 1Week 1: Focus on philosophical views of the self. Read about Plato and Descartes (dualism) and Dawkins (materialism). Make notes on their key arguments and criticisms.
2. 2Week 2: Study religious beliefs about the afterlife. Compare resurrection (Christianity) and reincarnation (Hinduism/Buddhism). Consider John Hick's replica theory and its evaluation.
3. 3Week 3: Practice exam questions. Start with 5-mark explain questions, then move to 15-mark evaluation questions. Use mark schemes to self-assess.
4. 4Week 4: Revise key quotes and scholars. Create flashcards for key terms and arguments. Do active recall quizzes.
5. 5Week 5: Attempt full past papers under timed conditions. Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.

• 📋Explain questions (5 marks): Define and describe a concept (e.g., 'Explain the dualist view of the self').
• 📋Evaluate questions (15 marks): Critically assess a statement (e.g., 'Evaluate the view that life after death is impossible').
• 📋Compare questions (10 marks): Compare two views (e.g., 'Compare dualist and materialist views of the self').
• 📋Source-based questions: Analyse a passage from a philosopher or religious text and answer questions on it.