Argument Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
“The arguments for immortality, weak when you take them one by one, are no more cogent when you take them together... For my part, I cannot see how consciousness can persist when its physical basis has been destroyed, and I am too sure of the interconnection of my body and my mind to think that any survival of my my consciousness apart from my body would be in any sense a survival of myself.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Novel, 1936
The argument that consciousness can survive death is unconvincing because it ignores the physical dependence of mind on body.
In simple terms: Consciousness likely ends with the body.
Key Takeaway
Accept mortality, focus on living fully.
Themes
mortality
mind-body
philosophy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- medical ethics
- end‑of‑life decisions
- personal reflection
- spiritual debates
Key Concepts
dualism
materialism
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you imagine a self without a body?
- What does this view imply about legacy?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook personal experiences of near‑death or religious belief.
