After (or before, if you like), you've finished the exam, you can begin the new reading.

Our next topic will be "Life After Death". At the end of Chapter Four, Palmer cites as an advantage of dualism, the possibility of immortality. However, some materialists believe they can achieve immortality through cyronics, the practice of freezing the dead for later reanimation. Please read the attached sci.cryonics FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) excerpts. These are just parts 2 and 3. If you find the subject interesting, you can read the rest of the FAQ by following the links to the other parts.

Some topics for consideration: Is cryonics likely to really work? Are cryonicists right in believing that if you jump-start the body and get it functioning again that you will be brought back to life? How does the idea of the soul fit into all this? What would happen to the soul of the subject (if it exists) during the time the subject is frozen? Would there be any downside to being physically immortal? What social changes might such an advance bring about? Would there be anything ethically wrong with such a procedure? Would you sign up for it? Why or why not?

Future readings will be posted shortly and include Near Death Experiences and the concept of Reincarnation.

Next up, we will discuss Free Will and Determinism, so if you want to read ahead in that chapter in Palmer, feel free to do so.

All handouts are posted to the WebBoard/Listerv. However do that you can have them listed all in one place for easy reference, I am also posting them to the class website under "handouts" at
http://teach.lanecc.edu/borrowdalej/phl20 3_w03/reality_main_w03.htm

Prof. Borrowdale