A Dream of Immortality

Ks. Marcin FERDYNUS

Department of Applied Ethics, Institute of Theoretical Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland , Poland

Abstract

Lifespan extension is one of the most exciting and problematic areas of developing science. The achievements of modern medicine, together with the potential of nanotechnology, allow a significant and unprecedented interference in human nature. Proponents of such actions promise salvation from genetic defects and imperfections, as well as proclaim that the project of biological immortality will soon be accomplished. This article is an attempt at reflecting on whether the rapid progress of contemporary medicine is able to stop man from dying. Strategies of lifespan extension, biological theories of aging, as well as reflections on the inevitability of human transience, suggest that the ambitions of medicine to extend human lifespan indefinitely are utopian.

Keywords:

lifespan extension, biological immortality, human nature, transhumanism