This is a lecture clip from my online Philosophy of Death and Dying course.

1. What about an Immortal
Afterlife?
Present Character Categorical Desires Reasons to
+Future Projects Live
 Can’t simply say “it’s heaven, you
wouldn’t be bored.”
 Can’t modify person’s character too
much

2. Summing Up…
 Categorical desires are the desires that give us reasons to
live. So long as we have them, we will not want to die, and
it will be bad for us if we do.
 Having categorical desires requires a certain connection
between our present character and our future projects. To
give rise to categorical desires, our future projects must
look attractive to our present selves. This is the standard
that an immortal existence can’t meet.
 This also shows us that while death often comes too
early, before a person has had a chance to experience the
benefits of life, it can also come too late.