This essay is an exercise in what might be called Metaphysical Sociology. It suggests that in the secular modern Western world immortality has become the great question mark. It explores possible responses, drawing on a range of fictional examples, including the novel and film Gone with the Wind and Nicolas Poussin's painting of The Last Supper. It draws a contrast between vitality and ego, on the one hand, and soul, on the other.

中文翻译：

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不朽。

这篇文章是关于形而上学社会学的练习。这表明在世俗的现代西方世界中，不朽已成为一个巨大的问号。它探索了可能的反应，借鉴了一系列虚构的例子，包括小说和电影《乱世佳人》和尼古拉斯·普桑的《最后的晚餐》画作。它一方面在活力和自我之间形成对比，另一方面在灵魂之间形成对比。