CHAPTER XL 

 THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 



The citadel of superstition. Athanatism and thanatism. Indi- 

 vidual character of death. Immortality of the unicellular 

 organisms (protists). Cosmic and personal immortality. Primary 

 thanatism (of uncivilized peoples). Secondary thanatism (of 

 ancient and recent philosophers). Athanatism and religion. 

 Origin of the belief in immortality. Christian athanatism. 

 Eternal life. The day of judgment. Metaphysical athanatism. 

 Substance of the soul. Ether souls and air souls; fluid souls 

 and solid souls. Immortality of the animal soul. Arguments 

 for and against athanatism. Athanatist illusions. 



When we turn from the genetic study of the soul to 

 the great question of its immortality, we come to that 

 highest point of superstition which is regarded as the 

 impregnable citadel of all mystical and dualistic 

 notions. For in this crucial question, more than in 

 any other problem, philosophic thought is complicated 

 by the selfish interest of the human personality, who 

 is determined to have a guarantee of his existence 

 beyond the grave at any price. This " higher necessity 

 of feeling" is so powerful that it sweeps aside all the 

 logical arguments of critical reason. Consciously or 

 unconsciously, most men are influenced in all their 

 general views, and, therefore, in their theory of life, 

 by the dogma of personal immortality ; and to this 

 theoretical error must be added practical consequences 

 of the most far-reaching character. It is our task, 

 therefore, to submit every aspect of this important 



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