“When they have become convinced of the impossibility of obtaining happiness in this world, people persuade themselves that it may be obtained after death in a transcendental life in another world. This, however, is only a second phase of illusion, and is based upon faith in life after death and eternity. It is certain, however, that the individuality of the organic body as well as that of the mind is only a delusion which ceases with death.”[232] Hartmann says in conclusion that “it is therefore plain that the hope of the immortality of the individual soul is also a mere illusion. And thus the chief support of the Christian promises is cut away; for men are devoted to their dear selves, and take little interest in a future happiness in which they themselves are to have no share.”[233] Being disillusioned regarding the possibility of obtaining happiness in this world, or in a future state, humanity falls back upon a third illusion. Firmly convinced that the aim of life is true happiness, man concluded that it was only attainable in some future state of the cosmic process. This hypothesis is based upon belief in a system of progressive development. “This,” declares Hartmann, “is yet another mistake. Humanity may progress as much as it likes,” he says, “but it will never succeed in suppressing or even diminishing the greatest evils which beset it: disease, old age, dependence on the wishes or the power of others, misery and discontent. Notwithstanding the new remedies which are discovered, the number of diseases, especially those of a chronic nature which are so trying, continues to increase at a rate that medicine cannot keep pace with. Joyous youth will always constitute a small portion of humanity, while the greater part will consist of melancholy old age.”[234]