“The “afterlife” will arrive whether you “philosophize” about it or not. That’s a fact.”
-William Wilde
Editorial by William Wilde & Photograph by Michal Martychowiec
‘Life & Death’
Theo in America, for whom I write the Letter From London column, recently drew my attention to one Jason Silva and his thoughts on life after death.
(For readers who are not familiar with this televised futurist, Silva’s Wikipedia entry reads thus: “Silva earned a degree in film and philosophy from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. He, along with Max Lugavere, produced and starred in a video documentary/performance piece entitled “Textures of Selfhood”—an experimental film about hedonism and spirituality. “The Party-Philosophers” and “Intellectual Hedonists”.)
Mr. Silva, it would seem, has been making theoretical assertions on life after death, and Theo has asked me to comment on his philosophical ruminations.
What’s my philosophy on life after death?
Well, I’d start by saying that life after death isn’t a simple matter – how’s that for a classic English understatement!
But, while not at all simple, I would say that it was straightforward; perhaps more straight forward than pop philosophers like to make it.
As you know by now, when I get the whiff of academia or pretension I tend to reach for my gun.
Not that I don’t admire intellectuals. There’s a place for everything in life, and academics and intellectuals have their place too… as long as that place is NOT within a five-mile radius of me, I’m happy!
The Greco-Judeo-Christian tradition shapes my thinking. In this I am not alone. The same heritage shapes the entire western world.
And this is why I believe that life after death is no matter for the philosophers.
What everyone forgets is that a belief in life after death is a faith, it’s not a philosophy. We can’t prove it. If we want life after death, we have to first BELIEVE.
(If you can prove its existence, by all means drop us an email. We’ll make a fortune!)
It’s a faith matter, not a philosophical one. Without faith, there can be no life after death. Yet with faith there can be no rational argument. And without rational argument there can be no philosophy.
I have lived most of my adult life with that Judeo Christian tradition on one shoulder – which, frankly, can lead to embarrassing situations too complex to be resolved by cable TV philosophers– and a big bruiser of a guardian angel on the other shoulder to handle the more rational, practical and physical matters. And somewhere between these twin towers of Christ and Conscience, I’ve come up with this:
The “afterlife” is fine for those who believe. And it’s equally fine for eager young pups on TV who want to grab their 15 seconds of fame (it used to be 15 minutes of fame in my day, but we live in times of great cuts and we all must tighten our belts).
The “afterlife” will arrive whether you “philosophize” about it or not. That’s a fact. In the meantime… Eyes. A beautiful face. Lips. Legs that go right up to the top. A great suit. Billie Holiday on the turntable. The here and now. This is IT. Enjoy.
Read Bill’s bog, The Hornet, HERE
Watch Bill’s new film, Death To Fashion, HERE
For Bill’s website and shop click HERE
