Scientific perspectives on immortality
Scientific perspectives on immortality

Surveys of National Academy of Sciences members

BELIEF IN PERSONAL GOD
1914
1933
1998
Personal belief
27.7
15
7.0
Personal disbelief
52.7
68
72.2
Doubt or agnosticism
20.9
17
20.8
BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY
1914
1933
1998
Personal belief
35.2
18
7.9
Personal disbelief
25.4
53
76.7*
Doubt or agnosticism
43.7
29
23.3
* = suspect
Surveys of scientists (in general)

DESIRE FOR IMMORTALITY
1916
1996
Intense
34
10
Moderate
39
26
Not at all
27
64


Scientific view of life
Humans are composed entirely of matter.
Humans are powered by displacement form equilibrium (like computer RAM).
Like computer RAM they decay when they lose energy source.
Death is a critical component of evolution (permits populations to change).
Aren't near death experiences evidence for an afterlife?
No! They're entirely psychological.
If you don't believe in an afterlife won't you just seek pleasure in this life?
Evidence suggests otherwise.