The philosopher Todd May is an atheist who rejects the supernatural, but not the people who believe in it.
In five previous interviews in this series we've explored the Buddhist, Jain, Taoist, Jewish and Christian views on death and the afterlife. But what about those without any religious faith or belief in God? Why not, some readers have asked, interview an atheist? So we did.
Today's conversation is with Todd May, the author of 16 books of philosophy ranging from recent French thought to contemporary ethics. His books — including "A Significant Life," "A Fragile Life" and, most recently, "A Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us" — investigate meaning, suffering and morality. His work has been featured in episodes of the television show "The Good Place," where he served behind the scenes as a "philosophical consultant." — George Yancy
George Yancy: In your book "Death," you very clearly state, "For the record, I am an atheist (which is why I don't believe in an afterlife)." Cornel West is fond of saying that we will eventually become "the culinary delight of terrestrial worms." So I assume you believe life ends right there, without any consciousness beyond the worms. Do all atheists subscribe to that belief?
Todd May: First, George, I owe you a debt of gratitude for this series. Confronting death is one of the most important and difficult tasks that we as humans face. It's been inspiring to see the ways different traditions grapple with that task.
In stating my own position, I don't speak as a representative of atheism. There can be different types of atheism, but they all have in common the denial of a supernatural deity. My own atheism involves a denial of the supernatural in all its forms, for instance the distinction of the soul from the body, the immortality of the soul, reincarnation and so on. However, I can imagine an atheism that believes, for instance, that there is a spiritual bond uniting all people or all living beings. A view like that would not require a deity, but might still be a form of atheism. It's just not my atheism.
My particular atheism commits me to thinking that those who believe in the supernatural are mistaken. It does not, however, commit me to thinking any less of them for their belief. This is an important distinction to make, one that often goes missing in discussions of atheism... (continues)
In five previous interviews in this series we've explored the Buddhist, Jain, Taoist, Jewish and Christian views on death and the afterlife. But what about those without any religious faith or belief in God? Why not, some readers have asked, interview an atheist? So we did.
Today's conversation is with Todd May, the author of 16 books of philosophy ranging from recent French thought to contemporary ethics. His books — including "A Significant Life," "A Fragile Life" and, most recently, "A Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us" — investigate meaning, suffering and morality. His work has been featured in episodes of the television show "The Good Place," where he served behind the scenes as a "philosophical consultant." — George Yancy
George Yancy: In your book "Death," you very clearly state, "For the record, I am an atheist (which is why I don't believe in an afterlife)." Cornel West is fond of saying that we will eventually become "the culinary delight of terrestrial worms." So I assume you believe life ends right there, without any consciousness beyond the worms. Do all atheists subscribe to that belief?
Todd May: First, George, I owe you a debt of gratitude for this series. Confronting death is one of the most important and difficult tasks that we as humans face. It's been inspiring to see the ways different traditions grapple with that task.
In stating my own position, I don't speak as a representative of atheism. There can be different types of atheism, but they all have in common the denial of a supernatural deity. My own atheism involves a denial of the supernatural in all its forms, for instance the distinction of the soul from the body, the immortality of the soul, reincarnation and so on. However, I can imagine an atheism that believes, for instance, that there is a spiritual bond uniting all people or all living beings. A view like that would not require a deity, but might still be a form of atheism. It's just not my atheism.
My particular atheism commits me to thinking that those who believe in the supernatural are mistaken. It does not, however, commit me to thinking any less of them for their belief. This is an important distinction to make, one that often goes missing in discussions of atheism... (continues)
