THE SPIRITUAL PARADOX: A METAPHYSICAL STUDY 
OF IMMORTALITY 
He that findeth his life shall lose it. — Christ. 
The cleaving to self is a perpetual dying. — Buddha. 
During the past few years many questions once considered 
peculiarly pertinent to theology have come to be appropriated by 
philosophy, and students of the latter science do not hesitate to 
apply to the critical investigation of topics formerly considered 
wholly as matters of exegesis the methods and laws proper to 
metaphysics or even of psychology. 
Among these topics is the general question of immortality. 
Foundations have been endowed for the express purpose of secur- 
ing for the discussion of human immortality the services of the 
most eminent minds in diverse fields. 
It is plain that the propriety of such study is wholly determined 
by its feasibility. The belief which one entertains respecting 
the future life may and often does, greatly influence his present 
life and the use which he attempts to make of daily opportunities. 
But at the present time the average individual possesses no 
opinion, though he may entertain a hope or be goaded by ill- 
defined but haunting fears. It is commonly implied that no 
knowledge respecting that beyond the grave is possible and that 
faith is its legitimate substitute. As cautious a writer as Pro- 
fessor Paulsen says: 
For it cannot be denied that this belief (in a future life) is becoming 
more and more unsettled in our times; and the future will hardly succeed 
in strengthening it. 
On the other hand, it is plausibly argued that knowledge of 
the beyond might unfit us for the life that now is and that our 
eyes are holden in order that our short-sighted vision may be the 
better focused on daily duties and the lesser but necessary duties 
of the immediate future. 
The fallacy of thinking and speaking of a future life in terms of our 
present limited sense-knowledge has given rise to extremely foolish 
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