DOI
10.1007/s11229-026-05641-7
Author ORCID Identifier
Alexander Englert: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7275-8318
Abstract
Despite some renewed interest in Gödel’s thought beyond his logical and mathematical contributions, his philosophy of religion remains sorely understudied. In this paper, I present a thorough examination of Gödel’s reasons for believing in an
afterlife based on evidence from his notebooks and collected papers. Along the way, I explore important tenets of his philosophical thought more broadly, such as his notion of essence, his views on the essence of human beings, the nature of learning, as well as the sort of afterlife that Gödel conceived as the most rational. The result of the study is a picture of his belief based on intricate philosophical reasoning, as opposed to wishful thinking or paranoid delusions.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-3-2026
Publisher Statement
© The Author(s) 2026
Recommended Citation
Englert, Alexander, "Why Gödel believed in the afterlife" (2026). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 196.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/philosophy-faculty-publications/196
