What the Experience of Transience Tells Us About the Afterlife

Sigmund Freud’s reflections on transience left him surprised that someone could revolt against the process of mourning. In Jonathan Lear’s interpretation transience, is not simply a passing struggle mind, but response to difficulty reality, is, an existential struggle. Central experience according Lear, disbelief in existence afterlife. How might we understand idea afterlife philosophically? I first consider three different philosophical conceptions that—in ways—underline relation between collective memory and These make it clearer which aspects play role Lear describes. However, further analysis temporality at stake denial needed. therefore look two psychoanalytic interpretations refusal mourn. The considers mourn as way deny change. second sees realisation meaninglessness prevents flow time. end paper by arguing can be understood practice articulation, allows shared time flow. Such will commit us anew world survive with wounding difficulties reality.