X-Message-Number: 19158
From: "Mark Plus" <>
Subject: "Death" as social construction
Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 08:44:02 -0700

In Message #19153, David Stodolsky writes:

>Another unfortunate development is in the field of science studies, where 
>social constructionism has become a dominate force. (Some in this field 
>recently were bragging that they had stopped the funding for the big new 
>accelerator to be built in the USA.) Social constructionism, in its most 
>extreme form, argues that there are no ultimate authorities, that is, the 
>Bible is just as valid as a physiology text book, etc.

Perhaps cryonicists could take advantage of this cognitive bug by arguing 
that we are operating upon a social construction of the definition of death 
different from mainstream medicine's -- and it's just as good as anyone 
else's, so leave us alone to do our thing.

Though you have to wonder why the intellectuals who promote such a  view of 
science tend to oppose nuclear technology.  After all, it's just a matter of 
social consensus whether nuclear weapons work or not.  Would nukes go away 
if we collectively decided not to believe in them?

Mark Plus



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