On the coherence of the notion of personal survival after the death of the body.

This dissertation defends the position that the coherence of the notion of some form of personal survival after the death of the body is worthy of consideration. This is not to say that personal survival after the death of the body either has or has not been established but rather that there are sufficient reasons to at least warrant open discussion of the topic rather than to assert dogmatically one way or the other. Various forms of possible remains resulting from ante-mortem existence are discussed, together with the transitions that are required to transform these remains into a post-mortem being. Three types of post-mortem existence are then discussed. In particular, the importance of memory in this process is highlighted and what it means for the survival to be personal, which seems of some importance, is also covered in some depth. The conclusion is that there are a wide range of possibilities which even though beset by significant problems given our current understanding of the world, are not impossible nor unintelligible and therefore warrant serious consideration by both those who do believe that there is survival after bodily death and those who do not