Eternal Oblivion: Is death eternal darkness?

0:00 Eternal Oblivion: Is death eternal darkness?
2:09 What are some Philosophical Contexts of Eternal Oblivion?
2:21 Materialism and Physicalism of Eternal Oblivion
3:57 Epicureanism and Classical Philosophy of Eternal Oblivion
4:20 Existential Nihilism of Eternal Oblivion
5:46 Existential Angst and Authenticity of Eternal Oblivion
6:10 Jean-Paul Sartre’s take on Eternal Oblivion
7:06 Martin Heidegger’s take on Eternal Oblivion
9:51 How to cope with the Eternal Oblivion?
10:01 Symbolic immortality
12:52 Hedonism and Carpe Diem
14:40 Living in the present
15:57 Eternal Oblivion actually cannot hurt you
17:25 Conclusion
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Further reading and references:
The Denial of Death
amzn.to/4cBcAOT
Becker’s work, although originally published earlier, continues to be relevant and was reprinted in recent years. It examines how the fear of death influences human behavior, tying in with Socratic themes of confronting mortality and seeking symbolic immortality.
How to Be an Existentialist: or How to Get Real, Get a Grip and Stop Making Excuses" by Gary Co
amzn.to/3Vzru1g
This book provides a practical guide to existentialist philosophy, touching on themes of authenticity and the acceptance of death, much like the existential angst discussed by Sartre and Heidegger in relation to eternal oblivion.
"Consciousness and the Brain: Deciphering How the Brain Codes Our Thoughts" by Stanislas Dehaene
amzn.to/4ciA9fA
This book explores the neuroscience behind consciousness, supporting the materialist and physicalist views that consciousness ends with brain death, akin to the concept of eternal oblivion discussed in modern scientific contexts.
In Plato's "Apology," Socrates, before his sentencing, contemplates the nature of death, presenting two afterlife possibilities. One excites him: the soul migrating to another existence, enabling dialectic inquiries with great heroes and thinkers. The other, a state of complete cessation of consciousness akin to a deep, dreamless sleep, he accepts with equanimity. This ancient perspective resonates with modern explorations of eternal oblivion, or non-existence, often associated with religious skepticism, secular humanism, nihilism, agnosticism, and atheism. Eternal oblivion posits that consciousness ceases entirely upon death, leaving behind an infinite silence devoid of sensation, thought, or awareness.
Philosophical contexts exploring eternal oblivion include materialism and physicalism, where consciousness is seen as dependent on brain function, ceasing with brain death. Epicureanism suggests death should not be feared as it marks the end of sensation. Existential nihilism posits life has no intrinsic meaning, emphasizing creating personal purpose. Existential angst, explored by Sartre and Heidegger, involves confronting the void and living authentically.
To cope with the unsettling nature of eternal oblivion, strategies include seeking symbolic immortality, as posited by Ernest Becker, where lasting symbols and legacies transcend physical demise. Hedonism and the "carpe diem" philosophy advocate for embracing present pleasures. Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Taoism emphasize living in the present moment. Understanding that eternal oblivion cannot hurt us, as argued by Thomas Clark and supported by neuroscientist Giulio Tononi, highlights that the absence of consciousness means an absence of experience, negating the fear of an eternal void.
In conclusion, while the concept of eternal oblivion can be daunting, it encourages making the most of our fleeting time, creating meaningful lives. Embracing this idea can help us live authentically, focusing on the intrinsic value of our experiences.

[@fernandoorozco5968]

I would love to learn more about Eternal Oblivion

[@whatpeoplealsoask2622]

Awesome ! Please subscribe if you are interested in some other future content 😉

[@naturalisted1714]

Pardon me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like you actually read Clark's essay. In it he explains Generic Subjective Continuity, which explains why death will be followed by yet more conscious experience - a consciousness that some _other_ brain is responsible for. There will be no endless absence of experience. If you haven't, please read his essay. Sam Harris did a podcast episode on it called "The Paradox of Death". Research into Generic Subjective Continuity. There's a lot on here covering it.

[@whatpeoplealsoask2622]

Yes I did read it.
Yes, he did address that the possibility of GSC.
However, it’s actually not contradictory to the what I said in this video.
Since he also mentioned if true oblivion is the case, it’s still not a problem, which is the point in the video.
GSC will be a situation if true oblivion’s alternative.
So I think maybe his ideas might be closer to Socrates, open to both possibilities?
From what I read, he indeed said we cannot responsibly come to the conclusion that nothingness is the permanent end.
But he did address that if that is the case, we won’t feel it. So I don’t see the contradiction between the possibility of GSC and the point that he posit true oblivion won’t be feel here.
Also, even GSC is true, the true oblivion might still be a thing between conscious phase, but it won’t be felt, I think it’s also one of his points.
Also thank you for the posdcast recommendations, I will check it out 😉
In this case, I also feel like GSC is similar to the concept of rejecting closed individualism, open individualism or something empty indivisualism , but not quite sure which case that is, what do you think about this ?

[@naturalisted1714]

​@@whatpeoplealsoask2622Tom and I discuss Generic Subjective Continuity frequently, along with free will and determinism. Tom, Elijah Everett and myself had a discussion on GSC awhile back. It's on Elijah's channel: What is wrong with the world. You should be able to find it by searching "Generic Subjective Continuity Tom Clark". I've also made many videos about it on my channel, so feel free to check some of them out to know my views on it.
I know that Tom definitely doesn't think Oblivion or Nothingness is an option. He is pretty sure that when a person ceases to exist, only Generic Subjective Continuity is what happens, due to the person completely ceasing to exist. This is because he adheres to the view that brains are responsible for consciousness. So, it would follow that he's a Closed Individualist, as am I.
Also, you can listen to the crux of the Sam Harris episode here on CZcams. Just search "Generic Subjective Continuity" and you'll see it.

[@naturalisted1714]

​@@whatpeoplealsoask2622Check my 📽️s