# You learn there's an afterlife, do you change? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2019, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298 "2019-07-19T10:35:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/1 "2019-07-19T10:35:21Z")
I’m not going to give a scenario because any scenario I come up with will be picked to death. However somehow you learn with 100% certainty: [ul] [li]There is an afterlife[/li][li]Every human gets an afterlife, it’s not opt-outable.[/li][li]Each afterlife will subjectively last 10,000 years before your soul is reduced to oblivion.[/li][li]There is a pleasurable afterlife and a torturous afterlife. These are the only 2 choices.[/li][li]Which afterlife you go to will depend on your life choices whilst alive.[/li][li]You have **absolutely no idea** what metrics are used to determine which afterlife people go to, or the relative percentages.[/li][/ul] So given that you have a strong incentive to do the “right stuff” but no actual knowledge of what the “right stuff” is, do you change anything? Please assume all bullet points are 100% true and you know this… because. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/2 "2019-07-19T11:14:09Z")
With absolutely no idea of what metrics are used to determine my fate, there’s absolutely nothing (about the afterlife) on which to base my life choices while alive. I will continue to make my life choices based on other factors. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/3 "2019-07-19T11:14:38Z")
Why should I change? I’m as likely to be already doing the right things as otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/4 "2019-07-19T11:32:37Z")
I think of myself as generally a good person. I try to be considerate, helpful, generous, friendly, and diligent. We all make mistakes, and nobody is perfect, and certainly I have had very little good luck in my life, but as a person I think I would pass the test. If how I currently live isn’t enough, then bugger 'em. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/5 "2019-07-19T11:35:30Z")
No way to know what the Judge wants to see before sentencing so I will continue to live my life as I see best. With my luck, the “pleasurable” alternative is a reward for behaviors I find abhorrent, such as self-aggrandizement or egotism. You could easily just get the sentence you believe you deserve. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/6 "2019-07-19T13:00:27Z")
This may well be the worst news in history because every single charlatan and sociopath will start a cult that claims absolute knowledge of what rules and propitiations you must follow to get into the good seats. Wait. No. It’ll remain status quo. \ ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/7 "2019-07-19T13:08:17Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > So given that you have a strong incentive to do the “right stuff” but no actual knowledge of what the “right stuff” is, do you change anything? Nope. Am already perfect. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/8 "2019-07-19T13:55:38Z")
I think I don’t have to change except in knowing there is an afterlife and it will probably be grossly unfair to billions. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/9 "2019-07-19T14:05:37Z")
If I didn’t know before, then, yes, of course I change. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/10 "2019-07-19T14:08:58Z")
A lot of responses thus far seem to be whistling past the graveyard. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/11 "2019-07-19T14:11:25Z")
Thousands of paths to Hell, one path to Heaven…and the one path to heaven may be one that has yet to be discovered. I happen to like who and what I am, so I’ll stick with what works. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/12 "2019-07-19T14:13:07Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If I didn’t know before, then, yes, of course I change. If you don’t know _what_ to change, then how do you decide _how_ to change? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/13 "2019-07-19T14:28:54Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > [li]You have **absolutely no idea** what metrics are used to determine which afterlife people go to, or the relative percentages.[/li] > So given that you have a strong incentive to do the “right stuff” but no actual knowledge of what the “right stuff” is, do you change anything? Sorry, but this point makes the whole premise moot. If I can’t know, why should I change? ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/14 "2019-07-19T14:39:04Z")
I think it’s pretty safe to assume that acting from love in every thought, word and deed is the correct answer, regardless of potential afterlife. I know I’m not even close to doing that. I’m impressed that so many Dopers seem nonchalant. 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/15 "2019-07-19T14:40:45Z")
I live by my conscience, and there is no clear reason presented in the OP to change that. If that means I burn, then I burn. I would rather burn than coexist for eons with those who live so differently from me–that would be its own form of torture. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/16 "2019-07-19T14:43:13Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > I think it’s pretty safe to assume that acting from love in every thought, word and deed is the correct answer Why? ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/17 "2019-07-19T15:36:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Why? Why not? 😜 Because that eliminates war, hunger, poverty, loneliness, greed, racism and corrruption. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/18 "2019-07-19T15:39:08Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Why not? 😜 > > Because that eliminates war, hunger, poverty, loneliness, greed, racism and corrruption. Good reason. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/19 "2019-07-19T15:58:42Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Because that eliminates war, hunger, poverty, loneliness, greed, racism and corrruption. …assuming that those are all bad things. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298/20 "2019-07-19T15:59:47Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Because that eliminates war, hunger, poverty, loneliness, greed, racism and corrruption. Buuuuut if the OP’s sorting mechanism is a judgmental entity examining the souls and depositing them in the appropriate pleasant/unpleasant afterlife, then you are assuming it wants us to eliminate war, hunger, poverty, loneliness, greed, racism and corruption. But what if we are meant to be transforming into aggressive, self interested conquering machines? In that case the wicked would get rewarded with a sweet afterlife, and the kind would be sent to the hell of reeducation to mean them up a little. Shucks, it could be the same place–the worthy have a pleasant experience making things unpleasant for the unworthy. - Dang, Ninjad by _that_ much [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-learn-theres-an-afterlife-do-you-change/837298.md?page=2)