Death Quote by Thomas Nagel
““The widespread willingness to rely on thermonuclear bombs as the ultimate weapon displays a cavalier attitude toward death that has always puzzled me. My impression is that...most of the defenders of these weapons are not suitably horrified at the possibility of a war in which hundreds of millions of people would be killed...I suspect that an important factor may be belief in an afterlife, and that the proporttion of those who think that death is not the end is much higher among the partisans of the bomb than among its opponents.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Bomb and the Afterlife” (1995) in *Mortal Questions*
People who support nuclear weapons often hold beliefs that lessen fear of massive death, such as belief in an afterlife.
In simple terms: Belief in afterlife reduces fear of nuclear war.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how personal beliefs shape policy views.
Themes
ethics
war
belief
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- public speeches
- academic seminars
Key Concepts
philosophy
political psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal beliefs influence your stance on weapons?
- Can policy be shaped without invoking metaphysics?
A Different Perspective
Not all supporters share afterlife beliefs; other factors matter.
