Is it theoretically possible that science might one day make it possible for human beings to indefinetely avoid death within the same consciousness? And if so, what would it mean existentially? Chaos?
Do you mean like in Donovan's Brain where the brain is removed and kept alive by artificial means. The next logical step would be to transplant the brain into someone with either incurable brain cancer, or into someone suffering from extreme brain trauma and needs a transplant to live. Hotwater
I was thinking more in terms of rejuvenation of cells, etc. But, of course, I don't know what form medical technology will take. I was just wondering 1) if it is theoretically possible; 2) if it is desireable from an existential point of view;
I think he was actually suggesting a bio-molecular means of regeneration through cloning. Once the process of cloning is perfected, there's no limit including organs and limbs. Hotwater
Living in dependancy from a rejuvenation industry - no thanks ! I rather wanna die (best natural rejuvenation ever).
What do you mean "from an existential point of view." If people live longer, they will live longer. Let's assume that a longer life means prolonging sencience not just more time in a nursing home wearing a diaper. I know of no theoretical possibility for indefinatly delaying death. Bio-science might keep us from falling apart, but death from accident or suicide will still exist.
Oh it wouldnt be so bad and it would probably only cost £30 ($60) a month about the same as I pay for a combined telephone internet deal You'd get to know everyone in the world after about a 1000 years and be on first name terms with about 3 million of them of course we would require several new planets by that time to house everyone and that could prove more costly I myself am the inventor of a product called U-grow - which if it worked would enable you to do exactly what you are suggesting unfortunately I was banned from using human embryonic tissues and had to experiment on people with canine tissue instead - now several of my neighbours have got fur and a tail - thankfully they dont know how it appeared as I spiked their water supply - however they will also live for 1,967,263 years without another dose - and boy will they be surprised when they find out BTW I never eradicated cancer so they will look like absolute shit after about 200 years - but as long as they take a lot of viagra after about 125 years theyll have fun
Suicide is a separate issue, but accident... Well, again, this is the limits of hypothesis here, and I'm certainly not claiming it holds. But if human organs can actually be reconstituted at will by science, then even accidents might not cause death. IN THAT FANTASY SCENARIO, I think a lot of existential issues come into play. In a way, death lends meaning to the human condition. At the moment immortality is a possibility, chaos may ensue. Think about it, jumping off a 50-storey building would be just as healthy as eating a vegetarian meal. Still, I'm not sure science even theoretically anticipates immortality. For instance, nuclear fission was theoretically discovered before experiments were undertaken. Can the same be said of cellular biology? All this is way outside, I know. But it's a speculation that I've had since I was a child. P.S. Cloning may be it, but remember that I'm talking of immortality within the same consciousness. If cellular rejuvenation or cloning imply that I no longer have the same memories, experiences, and identity, than it matters little that I am physiologically the same. I may as well have died.
Not necessarily because If Lamarke is right (Lamarkian Evolution) then each cloned limb could have of story of it's own - a la sybil :leaving: Hotwater
memories are transient even during a normal span of life. you're not the same person you were 7 years ago biologically, or even yesterday in the truest sense. doesn't seem like memories would be the primary concern if living over 150.
I think When something old dies something new borns...So if there is no death there is no new... But this is just my religion so i don't know what will happen... Maybe it would be chaos....
