Vorlesung im Kolleg: Tote in Vitrinen – ethische Überlegungen

Since the desire for immortality seems to be intrinsic to man, but he has had to experience from the beginning that he cannot prevent his own death, he postponed the hope of immortality until after his death. The dead were buried in the desert sands of Egypt - and people found that they did not (always) decompose there. This led to the realization that the body must be preserved if people want to "survive" in the afterlife. The body is the shell in which the life energy (Ka) and the ethical center of the personality (Ba) come together again. Archaeological excavations and the display of mummies in museums in distant lands is the opposite of the original intention.

The Charter of Human Rights includes the freedom of religion for everyone. But it can only be logical if it can also have a post-mortem effect. In this respect, the wishes of a dying person should continue to be valid after death. In some religions that are still practiced today, as well as - with some exceptions - in our own society, this is common practice. But how long can this post-mortem wish remain valid? And what about the remains of those who lived (their faith) thousands of years ago - and who we may not (or no longer) know in detail? How do I pay respect to the dead, who lie in the museum display case against their (explicit) will, but who we believe should serve the education and interest of museum visitors today?

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