The Consolatory Function of Conceptions of the Afterlife: Perspectives from the History of Ideas

Authors

• Christoph Jedan University of Groningen

Abstract

What is the consolatory function of conceptions of the afterlife? In order to counteract widespread misperceptions about consolation, which is negatively associated with religion and played out against philosophy, I examine the interface between ancient philosophical consolation and early Christian consolation. I suggest that both modes of consolation are closely related, sharing important characteristics, inter alia by setting the idea of a fulfilled life against the threat of death and by describing the fulfilled life in terms of a revisionist, virtuecentred account of human flourishing. I argue that conceptions of the afterlife are an optional component of ancient consolations. Instead of shifting the focus away from worldly life (as has frequently been claimed), they help to ‘intensify’ it. Their main thrust is to dignify fundamental life-choices and thus to facilitate biographical closure.