A Sense of Continuity in Mortality? Exploring Science-Oriented Finns' Views on Afterdeath.

Roosa Haimila,Elisa Muraja

doi:10.1177/00302228211038820

Abstract

Endorsement of science might entail a belief in "secular death", in which an individual faces annihilation as the bodily functions cease. In this article, we examine what science-oriented individuals think happens to humans after death. Does endorsement of science entail views on human annihilation or do people also express continuity beliefs? The open-ended responses of 387 Finns were analysed. The respondents were recruited online via organisations that promote science and research. The results suggest that while science-oriented Finns mainly endorsed annihilation and secular death, some also expressed (mostly nonreligious) views on continuation, e.g., in social bonds and nature. Secular forms of continuity were more likely mentioned by unbelievers, while theist respondents relied primarily on afterlife beliefs.

Highlights

Endorsement of science might entail a belief in “secular death”, in which an individual faces annihilation as the bodily functions cease
We explored how science-oriented individuals describe what happens to humans after death and whether identification with science entails views on “secular death”, in which an individual is annihilated as the bodily functions cease
This study explored the afterdeath beliefs of science-oriented Finns

Summary

Introduction

Endorsement of science might entail a belief in “secular death”, in which an individual faces annihilation as the bodily functions cease. Does endorsement of science entail views on human annihilation or do people express continuity beliefs? The results suggest that while science-oriented Finns mainly endorsed annihilation and secular death, some expressed (mostly nonreligious) views on continuation, e.g., in social bonds and nature. Some scholars have associated scientific knowledge with a secular conception of death, in which the individual annihilates as the bodily functions cease (Harris & Gimenez, 2005; for discussion, see Hodge, 2016, 2018). People might hold both supernatural and scientific views on death in contexts that are often perceived as secular (cf Bering et al, 2005).. People who hold science in high regard might be expected to endorse the scientific account of death, which some suggest entails the end of existence as the bodily functions cease. There has been a dearth of studies on afterdeath beliefs of individuals who identify with research (cf. Walker, 2000)

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Discussion

Conclusion