X-Message-Number: 23040 Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2003 09:13:42 -0800 (PST) From: Scott Badger <> Subject: The Immortal's Dilemma: Deconstructing Eternal Life I thought some of you might find this article an interesting read. Many here, including myself, will disagree with the author on a number of points but it is a fairly well articulated argument nevertheless. The essay appeared on The Secular Web < www.infidels.org > site. What bothered me was that most of those who responded to this essay were in agreement with the author's conclusions. See: http://tinyurl.com/y4b4 Oddly enough, the feedback suggests that atheists are no more open to radical life extension than theists. Here are the last two paragraphs of the essay: The Immortal's Dilemma: Deconstructing Eternal Life by George Hart "Yet it appears when it is all said and done, there is no version of personal immortality that can supply a meaningful life that a mortal existence could not also supply. In fact, it may be that only a finite life can be meaningful because only a finite life can be a story that has a beginning, middle and end. Death is what frames our life, and only a framed life can have meaning. Indeed, it is precisely the prospect of death that gives many of our values, such as courage and compassion, meaning. It is our mortality that makes life precious and intentional killing especially wrong. Life is meaningful when it is lived; that is enough. To ask for more is almost greedy. Just as wine is good if only the glass is to become empty, life can have meaning only if it must end." http://www.secweb.org/asset.asp?AssetID=333 After some of you have had a chance to read it, perhaps we could 'deconstruct' this author's essay. (tear em up, Mike P.) Best to all, Scott Badger __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing. http://photos.yahoo.com/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23040