Richard Swinburne - Do Heaven and Hell Really Exist?

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of heaven and hell from a philosophical and Christian perspective, suggesting that our actions shape our character and determine our afterlife. They discuss how repeated good or bad deeds influence our moral compass, leading to a natural inclination towards goodness or evil. The speaker also touches on the idea of purgatory and limbo, and emphasizes the importance of free will in choosing our path, with heaven and hell being the ultimate consequences of our life choices.

Takeaways

• 📜 Religions, including Christianity, traditionally describe heaven and hell as literal places for the afterlife, not just as metaphors.
• 🌱 Our character is shaped by our actions throughout life; doing good makes it easier to do good again, and vice versa for bad actions.
• 🔄 Aristotle's philosophy is referenced, suggesting that habits form our character, influencing our moral compass over time.
• 🛡️ Morality can be lost; the script mentions 'Gulag Archipelago' to illustrate how some people lose their sense of morality completely.
• 💡 Good people naturally inclined to do good acts are seen as deserving of life and opportunities to continue doing good.
• 👹 Those with a 'naturally evil' attitude may face destruction, as they would not be allowed to continue doing evil endlessly.
• 🚫 Free will is essential during the character formation phase, but once a character is set, there's no need to force goodness onto someone who has chosen evil.
• 😞 If evil individuals are kept alive, they will be in distress, wanting to harm others but being denied the opportunity, leading to unhappiness.
• 😇 In contrast, good people, who desire to do good, will be happy as they are allowed to fulfill their natural inclination towards goodness.
• 🏰 The concept of heaven and hell is tied to the embodiment of people, suggesting that there will be places for these afterlife states.
• ❓ The script leaves open the question of whether anyone actually goes to hell, emphasizing the Christian doctrine of the possibility of hell based on one's choices.
• 🔄 Aquinas' view is mentioned, suggesting that God would not keep anyone in hell if they repented, though it questions the ability of some to repent.

Q & A

What is the traditional Christian concept of heaven and hell according to Richard?

Richard explains that traditional Christian eschatology envisions heaven and hell as literal places where people go after death, based on their moral character developed during their lifetime.

How does Richard describe the process of moral development in humans?

Richard describes that humans, through their actions, gradually form their moral character. Each good act makes it easier to do good in the future, and each bad act makes it easier to do bad. Over time, individuals develop a settled desire to either do good or bad.

What does Richard say about the nature of free choice and character formation?

Richard asserts that free choice is crucial for character formation. While individuals have opportunities to change their character during their lives, there comes a point where their character becomes fixed, and it would be an imposition to force further change upon them.

According to Richard, what would a good God do with naturally evil people?

Richard suggests that a good God would not allow naturally evil people to continue doing evil for eternity. Instead, God would deprive them of opportunities to harm others, resulting in their distress due to their unfulfilled desires to be nasty.

How does Richard view the concept of repentance in hell?

Richard mentions that according to Aquinas, God would not keep anyone in hell if they repented. However, Richard believes that some people might voluntarily reach a state where they are incapable of repenting.

What is the role of the body in the afterlife, according to Richard?

Richard argues that being embodied gives individuals a public presence and makes them part of a community. Therefore, he expects people in the afterlife to be embodied, which necessitates that heaven and hell are actual places.

What does Richard say about the possibility of people being in hell?

Richard states that while it is a Christian doctrine that hell is a possibility for those who choose it, it is not a doctrine that anyone is definitively in hell. It is open for people to choose, but not certain that anyone is there.

How does Richard describe purgatory and its purpose?

Richard describes purgatory as a place for those who have some inclination to do good but haven't fully developed it. It is a temporary state where they can continue to grow morally and eventually reach heaven.

What is the concept of limbo according to Richard?

Richard explains that limbo was conceived in the Middle Ages as a neutral place, neither good nor evil, for children who had not developed a sense of right or wrong or been baptized.

What does Richard believe is the greatest choice given to human beings by God?

Richard believes the greatest choice God gives human beings is the choice of what sort of person to become. This significant choice allows individuals to develop into a good or bad person, carrying implications for heaven and hell.

Outlines

00:00

😇 The Nature of Heaven and Hell

This paragraph explores the traditional concepts of heaven and hell from a philosophical and moral perspective. It discusses how our actions and choices throughout life shape our character, making us more inclined towards good or evil deeds. The speaker suggests that as we age, we naturally become more set in our ways, either gravitating towards good or losing our moral compass. The concept of heaven is presented as a place for those who have chosen to do good, while hell is depicted as a state of distress for those who have chosen evil, as they will be denied the opportunity to continue their harmful actions. The speaker also touches on the idea of free will and the importance of allowing individuals to make their own moral choices, even if it leads to eternal consequences.

05:00

🌟 Embodiment and the Afterlife

The second paragraph delves into the implications of embodiment and the physical presence in the concepts of heaven and hell. It posits that if individuals are embodied, there must be a physical place for them in the afterlife, as embodiment provides a public presence and a sense of community. The speaker also addresses the Christian doctrine of the possibility of hell, referencing Aquinas's view that God would not keep anyone in hell if they repented, even though the speaker doubts that some people can reach a state of repentance. The paragraph concludes with a discussion of various Christian views on the intermediate state of souls, such as purgatory and limbo, and the importance of allowing individuals the freedom to choose their moral path, which inherently includes the concepts of heaven and hell.

Keywords

💡Eschatology

Eschatology refers to the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final things, such as the end of the world or the fate of human souls. In the video, the concept of eschatology is used to discuss the literal understanding of heaven and hell within the Christian religion, emphasizing the ultimate destiny of human beings.

💡Moral Development

Moral development is the process by which individuals acquire values, beliefs, and behaviors that are considered ethical or moral. The speaker in the video discusses how our moral nature is shaped by our actions over time, stating that doing good or bad deeds repeatedly makes it easier to continue in that pattern, which is central to the theme of forming one's character.

💡Good and Evil

Good and evil are abstract concepts often used to describe moral standards or behaviors that are either morally right or wrong. The video script explores the idea that individuals can become 'naturally good' or 'naturally evil' through their repeated actions, which is integral to the discussion of heaven and hell as potential outcomes of one's moral choices.

💡Aristotelian Ethics

Aristotelian Ethics refers to the ethical theories developed by the philosopher Aristotle, which emphasize virtue and the idea that moral habits are formed through repeated actions. The video mentions Aristotle to support the notion that our moral tendencies are shaped by our actions, making it easier to perform good or bad acts as they become habitual.

💡Character

Character refers to the moral and ethical qualities that define an individual's nature. In the script, the development of one's character through life experiences and choices is a central theme, with the implication that our final state in heaven or hell may be a reflection of the character we have cultivated.

💡Free Will

Free will is the ability to make choices that are neither determined by natural causality nor predestined by fate or divine will. The video discusses the importance of free will in allowing individuals to choose between good and evil, which ultimately influences their moral character and potential afterlife destination.

💡Heaven and Hell

Heaven and hell are traditionally understood as the final abodes for the souls of the deceased, with heaven being a place of eternal reward and hell a place of eternal punishment. The video uses these concepts to explore the consequences of one's moral choices and the nature of existence after death.

💡Purgatory

Purgatory is a concept in Catholic theology where the souls of those who die in a state of grace but are still imperfect undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven. The video mentions purgatory as a potential intermediate state for those who have some inclination to do good but have not fully realized it.

💡Limbo

Limbo is a theological concept that was historically used to describe a state or place of existence for those who, through no fault of their own, did not receive the means of salvation (such as unbaptized infants). The script briefly mentions limbo as one of the various theories about the intermediate state for souls.

💡Repentance

Repentance is the act of feeling regret or remorse for one's wrongdoings and seeking to amend one's behavior. The video refers to the idea that God would not keep anyone in hell if they repented, highlighting the importance of the opportunity for redemption and change.

💡Embodiment

Embodiment refers to the state of having a physical form or body. In the context of the video, embodiment is discussed as a necessary condition for existence in heaven or hell, suggesting that being part of a public community requires physical presence.

Highlights

Religions, including Christianity, traditionally envision heaven and hell as literal eschatological outcomes of human existence, not just as poetic or emotional concepts.

People form certain types of persons throughout their lives based on repeated actions, with good or bad actions becoming easier to perform over time.

Aristotle's view is cited, stating that performing good or bad actions repeatedly shapes our character and makes it easier to continue in that direction.

The possibility of losing one's sense of morality is discussed, using the example of prison guards in 'The Gulag Archipelago'.

The concept that a good God would reward those with a naturally good character and desire to do good, by giving them opportunities to continue doing good acts.

The idea that a naturally evil person would be denied the opportunity to continue doing evil by God, leading to a distressed situation.

The argument that God would not impose goodness on someone who has chosen to be evil, as it would be an infringement on their character.

The suggestion that heaven and hell are not just places, but also states of being, influenced by one's desires and actions.

The Christian doctrine that there is a possibility of hell for those who choose evil, but it is not a certainty that anyone is in hell.

Aquinas' view that God would not keep anyone in hell if they repented, even if it may be unlikely for some.

The Christian tradition's development of purgatory as a place for those with some inclination to do good to eventually reach heaven.

The theory of limbo as a place for those who have not developed a sense of right or wrong, such as unbaptized children.

The extreme views on heaven and hell being correct because they allow humans the significant choice of the kind of beings they become.

The possibility that God might eliminate bad people, which is not ruled out in the discussion.

Transcripts

richard most religions indeed the

christian religion for sure

envision a heaven and hell not as part

of its uh

poetry and uh and emotion but as

as a literal um uh eschatology of

certainly human existence uh how do you

see that how can we understand in our

modern life

the traditional concepts of heaven and

hell

well in the course of our lives we make

ourselves

certain sorts of persons

when we are young we are we are exposed

to

different beliefs we are exposed to

different opportunities for

doing what is right and wrong and um

it's a characteristic of humans that

each time we do a good act

it's easier to do a good act next time

each time we do a bad act it's easier to

do a bad act next time

applies of course to particular kinds of

acts as well as

generally to good uh each time we do a

courageous act it's easier to do a

courageous act next time each time we do

adjust act

it's easier to do a just act next time

aristotle

said that um therefore

where although in our early life we have

desires to do

uh this sort of act and that sort of act

of moral beliefs about what we ought to

do

we gradually change the uh

makeup of our lives in this respect

if we go on doing what is good doing

good becomes

natural to us and so we gradually lose

or one hopes one

gradually lose the temptations to do bad

or at any rate we

we form a very settled desire never to

do anything bad we may occasionally give

into it but

uh the direction of our lives is fixed

and likewise the other way around um

if people always give in to temptation

then they gradually

not merely always given to temptation

but

moral belief seems to mean anything to

them

in the gulag archipelago sergeant ipsin

has a chapter on the prison guards and

he says there are different sorts of

prison gods some of them seem to have a

vestige of morality left

but sometimes you could see somebody

finally losing their sense of morality

that they had sort of

just no longer became

a there was a tipping point in them they

suddenly became no longer sensitive in

any sense

to to moral considerations so

uh at the end of life some of us form

become naturally good some of us become

lose our sense of morality and many of

us of course are still in the middle

um what would a good god do with such

people well obviously if they

they uh formed a desire to do good

they're worth keeping alive and worth

telling

giving an opportunity to to go on doing

lots of good acts

um what would god do with somebody who

is naturally evil

that formed a natural evil attitude to

life

well he could of course destroy them uh

but um one thing he certainly wouldn't

do

is allow them an opportunity to go on

doing lots of evil for eternity

there's a reason allowing people to have

free choice between good and evil for

temporary

uh period while they form their

character but once their character is

formed

there really is no reason for uh letting

a person who has chosen to do evil go on

doing evil

so such people will want to hurt the

other people

but god will deprive them of the

opportunity to do so

and so inevitably they are going to be

in a distressed

situation if you're always wanting to be

nasty to people and there are no people

to be nasty to

then you're not going to be happy um

so inevitably if god keeps them alive

they're not going to be happy people

of course you could say well god could

say well

give them another chance uh start them

again

but they have over the course of their

lives sort of decided to

to become a certain sort of person and

to afford to force a character on

on a person is not right

so um although there are plenty of

opportunities for changing character

during life there's got to be

an end to that process

because to go on trying to push somebody

to be good when they've decided not to

be good is an imposition on them

so uh if god is to keep them alive and

maybe

maybe he doesn't need to but if he is he

they will be in an unhappy situation and

the good people

because they want to do good and they

will be allowed to do good

and they will therefore be doing what

they want to do we'll be in a happy

situation

and that i think is um part of what

heaven and hell is it's not so much a

place though because it will be a place

because if they're embodied people there

must be a place where they

are and being

being embodied is

gives us a public uh public presence if

we didn't have bodies we wouldn't be

part of a public community someone would

expect people in the world to come to be

embodied

for for that reason and so inevitably

there will be

places that's not to say despite what i

said earlier necessarily that

that anybody does go to hell but it

rather looks as if some people are

hitting that way

it's not a christian doctrine that

anybody is in hell

but it certainly is a christian doctrine

that there is that possibility open to

people if they choose

and it was a aquinas who said that

[Music]

god would not keep anybody in hell if

for one moment they

repented he didn't think they would

repent but he did say that and i've

given a reason why i don't think

some people can get themselves

voluntarily in the state

where they won't repent so yes i do

endorse

both of those principal doctrines as to

people in the in the middle

well the christian tradition has had

various uh somewhat uh

undetermined views about that the the

catholic

church developed a view of purgatory

from about the 11th century onwards so

that people could as it were

those who had some inclination to do

good but hadn't worked it out would go

to purgatory and

and they would eventually get to heaven

and there have been other

theories about the intermediate state um

the theory of limbo was which was a

neither good nor evil

place uh was was developed in the middle

ages as suitable

for children who hadn't developed any

sense of right or wrong or been baptized

and there have been other views around

but um

on the extreme views i think they are

right because i think

that the greatest choice that

god could give to human beings is the

choice of the sort of being they are to

be

and if they'd have a really good good a

significant choice that they must be

allowed to choose to become

not nearly on an individual time to do a

good or bad action to it become a

good or bad sort of person and that is

that carries with it

uh the views of heaven and hell

but of course one view is that god might

eliminate

the bad people and i don't wish to

rule that out