The implications of materialism for post mortem survival in Lucretian and ancient Egyptian philosophy

Lucretius' belief in an atomic structure of the universe that is very similar to the view modem science holds, helped to inform his views about the lack of possibility for the survival of the soul after death. He feels that we should not worry our minds with the fear of death, because at death, the body and the soul cease to have experience. I will show that the ancient Egyptians also had an understanding of science and the mind that are similar to some contemporaries in the field. I will compare the views of Lucretius on science and the mind with that of the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian views present a powerful challenge to Lucretius' view. I will argue that the ancient Egyptians had legitimate reasons to oppose the view of Lucretius that there is absolutely no possibility for the soul or consciousness to survive the process of death.