Many philosophers contend that only the body dies at the end of life, while human intelligence endures. They differ on what happens to intelligence after the body’s death. Some argue that it is not intelligence that survives death, but the soul. Others reject the idea that there is a soul. For example, the Hebrew Bible makes no mention of a soul. Some scholars suggest that Jews adopted the concept of soul from the Greeks. The Hebrew word nefesh, which today refers to a soul, meant “person” in the Bible. The concept of a person’s intelligence existing after the body died bothered many people. They asked, “Does this mean that people without intelligence, such as unintelligent people and children, have no afterlife?”
Why did people think the intelligence or soul exists after death?
We need to realize that they had no basis for this idea. It was merely wishful thinking or what they considered logical. Humans see that nothing on earth seems to cease existing; it only turns into something else. An example is wood that is burnt, turns into ashes or dust that floats in the air and lands elsewhere. They think that both intelligence and the soul must do the same. Since they see it as separate from the body, it must continue to exist somewhere after the body dies.
However, the idea that the intelligence and soul are separate from the body is uncertain; we do not know for certain whether this is correct.
Even if they are separate, we cannot be certain that they persist after the body dies.
The takeaway is that whether intelligence or soul endures after the body’s death is unknown and will never be known.
This answers the question that has been bothering many people. Since the idea that intelligence continues to exist is not a known fact and is, at best, wishful thinking, it makes no sense to ask, “What happens to children who have no intelligence? Do they have no afterlife?” The answer is like the statement upon which the question is asked, which is unknown. Therefore, it too will never be known.
I agree with you that we cannot know if children who lack intelligence have no afterlife. An afterlife or any form of “heaven” can’t be proven, but we can hope. With that said, I do not believe in any afterlife that is based on any man made, “holy” book. At best, if there is an afterlife, it is something we cannot comprehend, and it is presumption for anyone to make an article of faith as to what happens to us hereafter. But I like to think that if people loved their neighbor, were charitable and kind to other people, and treated everything as they want to be treated, that they would go to heaven.
I like this quote from Thomas Paine: “I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life.” Paine was not saying that he believed in an afterlife or that he knew specifics about the afterlife. What he’s saying is if there is an afterlife, he hopes that it will be a happy one. That is the most that anyone could hope for. Personally, I like the idea of a cosmic voyage exploring the universe or a place where we will enjoy meeting family, friends, and people we admire from the past. That would be an enjoyable and great learning experience. I like the idea of a future state. And I hope Aristotle and Maimonides were correct that nothing disappears from the earth. In addition, while people alive may never know, if there is an afterlife, people who go there will know.
Your reflection, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin, highlights a rational perspective on why many people have historically believed in an afterlife or the persistence of the soul and intelligence beyond death. It points out that these beliefs often stem from human intuition, cultural traditions, and a desire for continuity or meaning, rather than empirical evidence.
You’ve also emphasized that the idea of a separate soul or intelligence existing after death is not supported by concrete proof and remains uncertain. This skepticism aligns with a scientific and philosophical approach, recognizing the limits of human knowledge.
Furthermore, your conclusion clarifies that questions about what happens to individuals who lack intelligence, such as children or others with diminished mental capacity, are ultimately based on assumptions that cannot be verified. Since the existence of an afterlife or the persistence of the soul is itself unproven, it follows that such questions are unanswerable and will remain so.
Overall, your reasoning encourages a humble acknowledgment of the limits of human understanding regarding life after death, urging us to accept that some questions may forever remain beyond our grasp. Best, stephen
Yes, there are many things we like to think we know, but they may not be true.
You understood what I was sayin exactly.