(no subject)
James Boswell visited David Hume on his death bed. Boswell, a christian who knew that when people are dying they are often more susceptable to belief in God, asked Hume 'Can't you now admit at least the possibility that there is an afterlife waiting for you?' Hume replied by picking up a piece of coal and saying, 'Of course it is possible. It is also possible that if I throw this coal into the fire it will not burn. But my life's experience has lead me to believe that it will burn.' He threw the coal into the fire and sure enough, it burned. 'Likewise, my life experience has lead me to believe that this life is all there is.' And with that, Hume died.