Reading your essay made me think of a book I read several years ago from Simone de Beauvoir: 'All men are mortal (Tous les hommes sont mortels)'. It tells the story of a man born in the 13th century who at the age of 52 drank a magical potion and became immortal. He lives on for centuries and get more and more detached from future generations. As live is filled with saying goodby and therefor with sorrow and grief. In the end he is incapable of giving and receiving love because he knows it is not going to last.
This book had a great impact on me and it made me realise that I want to live a healthy life as fulfilled as possible, but when it is my time, I will put my head down without fear.
Everytime I read about transhumanisme I get the impression that death is no longer allowed to be part of life. And that of all things is the only certainty in life. Although not the same, but having common grounds, I strongly decline transhumanism.
"Scientists have never been able to prove the brain is the seat of consciousness."
I consider any suggestion that consciousness exists separately from the brain to wishful thinking. Humans are blessed with thinking power which greatly outpaces our animal cousins, but with that blessing comes a terrible curse: we are aware that each of us will, one day, die. The mind rebels against such knowledge, and religions are formed which preach that, in one form or another, death is not the end of consciousness. One religion talks about being reunited with lost loved ones in "heaven". Another posits reincarnation. I am, to say the least, highly skeptical of such speculations.
This is not to disagree with the overall thrust of the column, which makes the important point that knowledge of our own finiteness in this life can be used to better approach life and the choices we do have. The futility of trying to "do everything" or "know everything" can be thought of as depressing, or, better, as liberating.
As always, I look forward to reading each work you publish.
Happy August to you Barry, in a few precious hours!
I loved your essay today, as I often do.
Very timely for me as I achieved my 80th birthday in June and have thought more about the meaning of time for the rest of my precious days!
Staying well and savoring.
Thankyou...love to you and Deborah.
Jacqueline
What a great essay. It’s this sort of contemplation that expands the ‘present’ experience and makes it more precious.
Reading your essay made me think of a book I read several years ago from Simone de Beauvoir: 'All men are mortal (Tous les hommes sont mortels)'. It tells the story of a man born in the 13th century who at the age of 52 drank a magical potion and became immortal. He lives on for centuries and get more and more detached from future generations. As live is filled with saying goodby and therefor with sorrow and grief. In the end he is incapable of giving and receiving love because he knows it is not going to last.
This book had a great impact on me and it made me realise that I want to live a healthy life as fulfilled as possible, but when it is my time, I will put my head down without fear.
Everytime I read about transhumanisme I get the impression that death is no longer allowed to be part of life. And that of all things is the only certainty in life. Although not the same, but having common grounds, I strongly decline transhumanism.
"Scientists have never been able to prove the brain is the seat of consciousness."
I consider any suggestion that consciousness exists separately from the brain to wishful thinking. Humans are blessed with thinking power which greatly outpaces our animal cousins, but with that blessing comes a terrible curse: we are aware that each of us will, one day, die. The mind rebels against such knowledge, and religions are formed which preach that, in one form or another, death is not the end of consciousness. One religion talks about being reunited with lost loved ones in "heaven". Another posits reincarnation. I am, to say the least, highly skeptical of such speculations.
This is not to disagree with the overall thrust of the column, which makes the important point that knowledge of our own finiteness in this life can be used to better approach life and the choices we do have. The futility of trying to "do everything" or "know everything" can be thought of as depressing, or, better, as liberating.
As always, I look forward to reading each work you publish.