Immortal = Immoral?

[flyingchicken]

Please share your views.

In my humble and shallow opinion it's not immoral to want to be, to be, or strive to live indefinitely, because what I feel is generally termed as "good" has always been focused on the improvement of the quality of life and the prevention of death.

 

[Tee Kay]

It depends on what you do to become immortal.

 

[Bast]

I shouldn't want to be immortal. There's something in Buddhist teachings about that. If you die wanting to be immortal, it won't be a good thing.

Immortality per se isn't immoral. But just don't wish for it or seek it out at all costs.

 

[Tee Kay]

I shouldn't want to be immortal. There's something in Buddhist teachings about that. If you die wanting to be immortal, it won't be a good thing.

Immortality per se isn't immoral. But just don't wish for it or seek it out at all costs.

Because seeking immortality --> obsessive greed/desire, right?

 

[Perfection]

I shouldn't want to be immortal. There's something in Buddhist teachings about that. If you die wanting to be immortal, it won't be a good thing.

This is why Western philosophy kicks so much butt. Instead of accepting this as nature that we can't do jack about, Western philosophy came up with science, which might make us immortal.

*Perfection punches Buddha in the face like the imperialistic bastard he is*

 

[bathsheba666]

*Perfection punches Buddha in the face like the imperialistic bastard he is*

Is that the sound of one gland crapping?

 

[Bill3000]

This is why Western philosophy kicks so much butt. Instead of accepting this as nature that we can't do jack about, Western philosophy came up with science, which might make us immortal.

*Perfection punches Buddha in the face like the imperialistic bastard he is*

Pfft, Christianity says the same thing about immortality.

 

[El_Machinae]

I think people become more moral if they expect to be immortal, as long as they don't think that their immortality is tied to being immoral.

If you're immortal, you have to forever live with the consequences of your actions. You're also eternally responsible for your actions. Additionally, since science seems to be the most likely route to immortality, seeking immortality is a collaborative effort. Collaborative efforts lead to teamwork & sharing & mutual gain. People trying to be immortal should innately want to include people in their success, since it increases the likelihood of their own success.

If you think you need to harm others to be immortal, you're stuck with a problem. The other immortals will never trust you. This is where long-term consequences kick in

 

[Erik Mesoy]

"I want to live one more day. Tomorrow I will still want to live one more day. Therefore I want to live forever, proof by induction on the positive integers." -Eliezer Yudkowsky

I think something similar would apply to the morality of this situation. There is nothing wrong with living one more day, although there may be something wrong with how you live that day or the means you use to get it. I see no reason why any specific number of days should cross an immorality threshhold.

 

[Abaddon]

Living forever would rule!

 

[UNpatriot]

I plan to live forever, of course, but barring that I'd settle for a couple thousand years. Even five hundred would be pretty nice.

 

[Masquerouge]

How would you manage relationships if everybody is immortal? It's one thing to be willing to spend, say, 60 years top with someone, it's something else to spend milleniums with that same person...

 

[Labtec600]

Why would you want to live forever?

 

[Rashiminos]

How would you manage relationships if everybody is immortal? It's one thing to be willing to spend, say, 60 years top with someone, it's something else to spend milleniums with that same person...

The idea of spending time with someone would probably not be as rigid.

 

[warpus]

I don't see the link between immortality and immorality.

 

[Mirc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8-FTvSVxs

 

[El_Machinae]

Why would you want to live forever?

Why would you want to die next year?

 

[Labtec600]

Why would you want to die next year?

I dont...but like everything it reaches a point where enough is enough....

 

[El_Machinae]

Well, if you like living, then the main trick would be to avoid that "enough is enough" feeling, I guess.

 

[ArneHD]

Given our ever increasing wealth of knowledge and current rate of cultural production, I'm fairly certain that I could find some way of keeping myself entertained.