A Sense of Continuity in Mortality? Exploring Science-Oriented Finns’ Views on Afterdeath

Datos Bibliográficos

ID13629142
AutoresRoosa Haimila (0000-0002-3909-2163, University of Helsinki, autor de correspondencia), Elisa Muraja (University of Helsinki)
Año2021
Volumen88
Número1
Páginas38-65
Fecha de publicación2021-08-18
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00302228211038820
PMID34407669
OpenAlexW3130115206
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12
Referencias citadas44

Endorsement of science might entail a belief in "secular death", in which an individual faces annihilation as the bodily functions cease. In this article, we examine what science-oriented individuals think happens to humans after death. Does endorsement of science entail views on human annihilation or do people also express continuity beliefs? The open-ended responses of 387 Finns were analysed. The respondents were recruited online via organisations that promote science and research. The results suggest that while science-oriented Finns mainly endorsed annihilation and secular death, some also expressed (mostly nonreligious) views on continuation, e.g., in social bonds and nature. Secular forms of continuity were more likely mentioned by unbelievers, while theist respondents relied primarily on afterlife beliefs

Afterlife · Epistemology · Sociology · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology