X-Message-Number: 3924
From: Ralph Merkle <>
Subject: Re: "Dead"
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 09:06:16 PST

Calling a cryonically suspended patient "dead" is a very bad idea,
as has been discussed frequently both here and elsewhere.  Using
the term "legally dead" makes it clear that legal criteria, rather
than any fundamental or "true" criteria, have been used.

"Death," by definition, means "the final and irreversible cessation
of the vital functions of an animal or plant."  Calling a frozen
patient "dead" means, by definition, that recovery is impossible.
Thus, to call someone who has been cryonically suspended "dead" is
to state that they cannot be revived.  This is not what we mean,
not what we want to mean, and not what we should say.

Any attempt to explain cryonics by saying it "revives the dead,"
"restores the dead to life," "raises the dead," etc. etc. will
immediately conjure up a broad range of irrelevant and misleading
concepts, e.g., it moves into regions that are traditionally
religious, mystical, etc.  The single most powerful argument in
favor of cryonics is that it can save lives -- by calling frozen
patients dead we undercut the most powerful argument we have in
our own defense.

The term "frozen" is a simple, accurate, and non-judgemental term for
a cryonically suspended patient.  "Legally dead" is both accurate, and
makes it clear that the unqualified term "dead" might be inappropriate.

In practice, "death" usually means the point where society strips a
person of their personhood and relegates them to the trash heap.  Almost
every legal or ethical systems recognizes the value of life and the right
to life.  Almost no one recognizes a right to be raised from the dead,
and most view the very attempt as an act of hubris.

Words are important.  We should not denigrate them.  In any serious discussion
of cryonics it is essential to make it clear that the purpose of cryonics
is to save lives.  And saving the lives of the dead is a logical contradiction.

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