Qabasat

Qabasat

Critical Analysis of the Concept of "Immortality" in Josiah Royce's Philosophy: From Ethics to Metaphysics

Document Type : Original Article

Author
ali fathi
Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Farabi Campus, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/qabasat.2025.732747
Abstract
The question of immortality has long been one of the fundamental inquiries in philosophy and theology. Josiah Royce, the American idealist philosopher, approaches this concept from a voluntaristic perspective, interpreting it not merely as the temporal extension of individual life but as an intrinsic necessity arising from the very nature of human will. He contends that immortality is not to be found in the mere survival of the individual but in its connection with loyalty, the Absolute Will, and the moral community. This paper, adopting an analytical-critical approach, first examines the theoretical foundations of immortality in Royce’s philosophy and then scrutinizes its key challenges. Among the most pressing critiques are the ambiguity in the relationship between individual will and the universal will, the problem of personal identity after death, and the question of divine justice. While critics argue that Royce’s theory erases distinctions between the virtuous and the sinful, defenders propose the theory of "degrees of immortality," asserting that an individual’s participation in the Absolute determines their level of immortality. The findings of this study indicate that, despite offering a novel perspective beyond traditional interpretations, Royce’s theory still raises critical questions concerning the relationship between immortality, individual identity, truth, and ethics.
Josiah Royce, Immortality, Absolute Will, Loyalty, Moral Community, Divine Justice, Personal Identity.
Keywords
Josiah Royce
Immortality
Absolute Will
Loyalty
Moral Community
Divine Justice
Personal Identity
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