[quote=KSMountain]
I still don’t agree with this last of yours:
“it’s only my perception of it that really matters. Because when I die, I won’t perceive anything.”

Your works can outlive you. I agree they won’t matter to *you* (religious predictions aside), but they still could matter to others.

I didn’t know any Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes until he was already dead (unfortunately). They may not matter to *him* anymore, but they do to me…

Children and grandchildren of course are obvious examples of “works” that will likely outlive you.[/quote]

Yes, your works can outlive you, but to use your SRV example, I’m sure that SRV got satisfaction out of knowing that his music would survive his lifetime, but this satisfaction ended the moment he died (in a plane crash, if memory serves). Likewise, the charitable endeavors that I’m involved with give me satisfaction and I’m sure that will continue right up until the moment I croak (hopefully later rather than sooner). But once I’m dead I will no longer perceive anything, including any joy that survives me as a result of my charitable work. The universe will cease to exist, as I will no longer be able to perceive it. At least that’s my strong suspicion.