Thank you for downloading analysis on the BBC. An unusual edition this, it was recorded

with the American philosopher Sam Sheffler in front of an audience in London. He asks us to contemplate

a depressing scenario.

Edward Sturton chairs the event.

Welcome to the London School of Economics and Political Science for the next half hour.

We are going to be indulging in thought experiment here.

This is an unusual addition of analysis in the sense that it takes the form of an on-stage

conversation with a single guest in front of an audience, but you can of course expect the usual rigorous analysis standard of argument, certainly from our guest, who's a distinguished philosopher, and we're not for a moment breaking with the analysis tradition of taking on big subjects.

We're going to be talking about death and the afterlife, no less.

Our guest is Samuel Shefler, a university professor in the

Department of Philosophy at New York University and the author of a series of

lectures and indeed a book with the title death and the afterlife.

Please welcome him.

But I'm actually going to begin by putting a question to you, our audience.

Listen carefully. I want to know how many of you think our world and our species

will continue to exist after you die.

If you think that, please stand up, that our world and our species will continue to exist

after you die.

Pretty much unanimous.

I think there may be one or two with different ideas at the back,

but pretty much everyone in the audience has stood up.

No, no, don't sit down, yes, I won't keep you on your feet for long.

...