Jack Crittenden, a Professor Emeritus of Political Theory, is no stranger to tackling complex and often uncomfortable topics. Now, as part of the Interactivity Foundation’s 2024/25 Sustained Discussion Fellowship, Jack is leading a project that dives into one of the most universal yet often avoided topics—death and the possibility of life beyond it. His interest in this field was first sparked 30 years ago when his 10-year-old son expressed something many of us can relate to: that he was afraid to die. This moment has stayed with Jack since.
A key part of Jack’s Fellowship project will be asking whether society is, ironically, both obsessed with and terrified of death. In a culture focused on prolonging life at all costs, is there room for open discussions about what happens when we die? Jack will also explore how people might live their lives differently if scientific evidence supporting life after death were compelling. What if we no longer feared death? Could this shift in belief lead to a transformation in how we approach life?
“Is our society afraid to address death and thus desperate to keep people ‘alive’ regardless of the circumstances?” – Jack Crittenden
Jack will be addressing big questions such as these by bringing together a small group in a series of open-ended exploratory discussions that allow for unexpected ideas to emerge. The path of discussion “depends solely on the reactions and responses of the participants,” Jack explains, emphasizing the organic nature of the exploration.
Core to Jack’s inquiry is the challenge of differentiating between belief and knowledge. Jack wonders whether, and what type of, evidence for life after death could truly shift deeply ingrained beliefs about death and an afterlife. He reflects, “My research shows me that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that consciousness continues after bodily death. But I wonder—will people be moved by this evidence when talking about something as mysterious as life after death?”
Jack’s project doesn’t just aim to add to academic discourse. His work could also spark broader conversations in everyday life, challenging societal taboos surrounding death. By bringing these discussions to the public sphere, Jack hopes to create a space for reflection on how we live and die, and perhaps, what lies beyond.
To learn more about Jack’s Fellowship, see here.
About the Sustained Discussion Fellowship
The Interactivity Foundation’s Sustained Discussion Fellowship is designed to support independent, exploratory discussion projects that focus on under-examined areas of public concern. The Fellowship, running from September 2024 to June 2025, invites a select group of Visiting Fellows, like Jack, to lead discussions that aim to expand thinking and understanding around emerging issues.
Each project not only produces new insights but also aims to inspire positive social change by encouraging meaningful conversations that might otherwise remain taboo. Fellows therefore help to expand the boundaries of public imagination, while creating publicly-available tools and plans that can support discussions elsewhere.
Join us in following Jack’s journey as he explores what lies beyond. Make sure you connect with us on social media for insights and reflections throughout the Fellowship, and learn more about the work of our Fellows
here.
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