The Fountain of Eternal Life in Cleveland, Ohio

Immortality (or eternal life) is the concept of living in physical or spiritual form for an infinite length of time,^{[citation needed]} or in a state of timelessness.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (781x1158, 167 KB)Modified by myself from DCP_4247 by stuart_spivack http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (781x1158, 167 KB)Modified by myself from DCP_4247 by stuart_spivack http://www. ... Infinity is a word carrying a number of different meanings in mathematics, philosophy, theology and everyday life. ... Look up time in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

As immortality is the negation of mortality—not dying or not being subject to death—it has been a subject of the greatest fascination to mankind since at least the beginning of history.^{[citation needed]} The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the first literary works, dating back at least to the 22nd century BC, is primarily a quest of a hero seeking to become immortal. What form an unending human life would take, or whether the soul exists and possesses immortality, has been a fundamental point of focus of philosophy and religion,^{[citation needed]} as well as the subject of speculation, fantasy, and debate. For other uses, see Death (disambiguation), Dead (disambiguation), or Death (band). ... This article is about modern humans. ... The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Babylonia and is among the earliest known literary works. ... (23rd century BC - 22nd century BC - 21st century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2217 - 2193 BC -- Nomadic invasions of Akkad. ... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Philosophy (disambiguation). ...

As of March 2008, human physical immortality is not known to be an achievable possibility. Biological forms have inherent limitations in their design — for example, their fragility and slow adaptability to changing environments. Michael Shermer believes there is no significant scientific evidence for the proposed methods of achieving physical immortality, and says of them, "All have some basis in science, but none has achieved anything like scientific confirmation."^{[citation needed]} Jacques-Yves Cousteau, in the preface to his book The Ocean World, expressed his meditations on physical immortality, as a part of life and its adaptive processes: "Death is fundamental to evolution," and "evolution is fundamental to survival." Cousteau concludes that, biologically speaking, "immortality does not present a possible means to avoid death... Mortal or immortal, [an organism] must die."^{[citation needed]} 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... Michael Shermer Michael Shermer (born September 8, 1954 in Glendale, California) is a science writer, historian of science, founder of The Skeptics Society, and editor of its magazine Skeptic, which is largely devoted to investigating and debunking pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. ... Jacques-Yves ousteau in 1976. ... This article is about evolution in biology. ... Survival skills are skills that may help one to survive dangerous situations (such as storms or earthquakes), or in dangerous places (such as the desert, the mountains, and the jungle). ... Biology studies the variety of life (clockwise from top-left) E. coli, tree fern, gazelle, Goliath beetle Biology is the science of life (from the Greek words bios = life and logos = word). ...

A timeless existence is also not known for certain to be achievable, or even definable, despite millennia of arguments for eternity. Wittgenstein, in a notably non-theological interpretation of eternal life, writes in the Tractatus that, "If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present."^{[citation needed]} Arguments for eternity composed a particularly important area of philosophical debate among Greek, Jewish, Islamic, and Christian philosophers during the ancient and medieval periods. ... Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951), pictured here in 1930, made influential contributions to Logic and the philosophy of language, critically examining the task of conventional philosophy and its relation to the nature of language. ... Book cover of the Dover edition of Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Ogden translation) Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is the only book-length work published by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein in his lifetime. ...

Definitions

Spiritual

• The belief in an afterlife experienced by an immortal soul is a dogma of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. This belief is related to the philosophy of dualism.

For other uses, see Afterlife (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... For other senses of this word, see dogma (disambiguation). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... René Descartes illustration of dualism. ...

Hypothetical

• Fame itself has been described as a method to "achieve immortality", if only semantically, so that the name or works of a famous individual would "live on" after his or her death. This view of immortality places value on how one will be remembered by generations to come. For example, in Homer's Iliad, Achilles is already nigh-invincible, so his primary motive for fighting in the Trojan War is recognition and everlasting fame.
• Mystic approaches to immortality include those of the ancient Chinese Taoists and European medieval alchemists, seeking an elixir of life.
• Should metaphysical universals and abstract phenomena have an eternal existence, and if they can be interacted with by human beings, then a person might obtain a degree of immortality by interacting with them.^{[citation needed]}
• Quantum immortality is not widely regarded by the scientific community as being a verifiable or even necessarily correct offshoot of the many worlds interpretation. In the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, the wavefunction never collapses, and thus all possible outcomes of a quantum event exist simultaneously, with each event apparently spawning an entirely new universe in which a single possible outcome exists. In this theory, a person could hypothetically live forever as there might exist a string of possible quantum outcomes in which that individual never dies.

Look up Fame in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... title page of the Rihel edition of ca. ... For other uses, see Achilles (disambiguation). ... Look up Invincible in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The fall of Troy, by Johann Georg Trautmann (1713–1769). ... For other uses of the words tao and dao, see Dao (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Alchemy (disambiguation). ... The elixir of life, also known as the elixir of immortality or Dancing Water and sometimes equated with the Philosophers stone, is a legendary potion, or drink, that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth. ... Plato (Left) and Aristotle (right), by Raphael (Stanza della Segnatura, Rome) Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the ultimate nature of reality, being, and the world. ... Universals (used as a noun) are either properties, relations, or types, but not classes. ... For other uses, see Abstract It is a commonplace in philosophy that every thing or object is either abstract or concrete. ... While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existing for an infinite, i. ... This article is about ontology in philosophy. ... This article is about modern humans. ... It has been suggested that Quantum suicide be merged into this article or section. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. ... For a less technical and generally accessible introduction to the topic, see Introduction to quantum mechanics. ... This article discusses the concept of a wavefunction as it relates to quantum mechanics. ... Quantum superposition is the application of the superposition principle to quantum mechanics. ...

Physical

• The persistence of life itself across time is a form of immortality, insofar as leaving surviving offspring or genetic material is a means of defeating death. Sociobiology and Richard Dawkins' theory of the selfish gene are related to this understanding of immortality.^{[citation needed]}
• Life extension technologies promise a path to complete rejuvenation. Cryonics holds out the hope that the dead can be revived in the future, following sufficient medical advancements.
• Mind uploading is the concept of transference of consciousness from a human brain to an alternative media providing the same functionality. Assuming the process to be possible and repeatable, this would provide immortality to the consciousness, as predicted by futurists such as Ray Kurzweil.

This article is about life in general. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS (born March 26, 1941) is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and popular science writer who holds the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. ... The Selfish Gene is a controversial book by Richard Dawkins published in 1976. ... Life extension refers to an increase in maximum or average lifespan, especially in humans, by slowing down or reversing the processes of aging. ... Rejuvenation is the procedure of reversing the aging process, thus regaining youth. ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... In transhumanism and science fiction, mind uploading (also occasionally referred to by other terms such as mind downloading, mind transfer, whole brain emulation, whole body emulation, or electronic transcendence) refers to the hypothetical transfer of a human mind to an artificial substrate, such as a detailed computer simulation of an... For other meanings of this term, see Futurists (disambiguation). ... Dr. Raymond Kurzweil (born February 12, 1948) is a pioneer in the fields of optical character recognition (OCR), text-to-speech synthesis, speech recognition technology, and electronic musical keyboards. ...

Immortal species

• Turritopsis nutricula jellyfish — After becoming a sexually mature adult, the jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula can transform itself back into a child (the polyp stage) using the cell conversion process of transdifferentiation. The Turritopsis nutricula repeats this cycle, meaning that it may have an indefinite lifespan, though it can be killed.^[1]
• Bacteria (as a colony) — Although they can be killed by antibiotics, radiation, or starvation, bacteria, as a colony, appear to never age. Bacteria reproduce through cell division. A parent bacterium splits itself into two identical daughter cells. These daughter cells then split themselves in half. This process repeats, thus making the bacterium colony essentially immortal. However, a bacterium, as an individual, is mortal since it “dies” when it divides in half.
  Recent research, however, suggests that even bacteria as a colony may eventually die since each succeeding generation is slightly smaller, weaker, and more likely to die than the previous.^[2]
• Bristlecone Pines are speculated to be potentially immortal, but are susceptible to destruction by lightning, disease, and other causes. The oldest known living specimen is over 4800 years old.
• Hydra can be considered biologically immortal as they do not undergo senescence or aging.

This is a list of the oldest living organisms. ... Binomial name McCrady, 1858 Turritopsis nutricula is a hydrozoan (jellyfish) with a life cycle in which it reverts back to the polyp stage after becoming sexually mature. ... Anatomy of a coral polyp. ... Transdifferentation in biology takes place when a non-stem cell transforms into a different type of cell, or when an already differentiated stem cell creates cells outside its already established differentiation. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Species Pinus aristata Pinus longaeva Pinus balfouriana Gnarled bristlecone pine wood The bristlecone pines are a small group of pine trees (Family Pinaceae, genus Pinus, subsection Balfourianae) that can reach an age far greater than that of any other single living organism known, up to nearly 5,000 years. ... Species Hydra americana Hydra attenuata (or Hydra vulgaris) Hydra canadensis Hydra carnea Hydra cauliculata Hydra circumcincta Hydra hymanae Hydra littoralis Hydra magnipapillata Hydra minima Hydra oligactis Hydra oregona Hydra pseudoligactis Hydra rutgerensis Hydra utahensis Hydra viridis Hydra viridissima Hydra is a genus of simple, fresh-water animals possessing radial symmetry. ...

Causes of death

There are three main causes of death: aging, disease and trauma. For other uses, see Death (disambiguation), Dead (disambiguation), or Death (band). ... Ageing or aging is the process of getting older. ... This article is about the medical term. ... In medicine, a trauma patient has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury resulting in secondary complications such as shock, respiratory failure and death. ...

Aging

Aubrey de Grey, a leading researcher in the field of aging, defines aging as follows: “a collection of cumulative changes to the molecular and cellular structure of an adult organism, which result in essential metabolic processes, but which also, once they progress far enough, increasingly disrupt metabolism, resulting in pathology and death.” The current causes of aging in humans are cell loss (without replacement), oncogenic nuclear mutations and epimutations, cell senescence, mitochondrial mutations, lysosomal aggregates, extracellular aggregates, random extracellular cross-linking, immune system decline, and endocrine changes. Eliminating aging would mean finding a way to deal with each of these causes. Aubrey David Nicholas Jasper de Grey, Ph. ... 3D (left and center) and 2D (right) representations of the terpenoid molecule atisane. ... Drawing of the structure of cork as it appeared under the microscope to Robert Hooke from Micrographia which is the origin of the word cell being used to describe the smallest unit of a living organism Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green) The cell is the... For the adult insect stage, see Imago. ... Domains and Kingdoms Nanobes Acytota Cytota Bacteria Neomura Archaea Eukaryota Bikonta Apusozoa Rhizaria Excavata Archaeplastida Rhodophyta Glaucophyta Plantae Heterokontophyta Haptophyta Cryptophyta Alveolata Unikonta Amoebozoa Opisthokonta Choanozoa Fungi Animalia An ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Life on Earth redirects here. ... Structure of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate, a central intermediate in energy metabolism. ... A renal cell carcinoma (chromophobe type) viewed on a hematoxylin & eosin stained slide Pathologist redirects here. ... See cancer for the biology of the disease, as well as a list of malignant diseases. ... HeLa cells stained for DNA with the Blue Hoechst dye. ... For linguistic mutation, see Apophony. ... Epigenetics is a term in biology used today to refer to features such as chromatin and DNA modifications that are stable over rounds of cell division but do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism. ... In biology, senescence is the combination of processes of deterioration which follow the period of development of an organism. ... In cell biology, a mitochondrion is an organelle found in the cells of most eukaryotes. ... Various organelles labeled. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... The endocrine system is a control system of ductless endocrine glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the bloodstream to affect distant organs. ... Ageing or aging is the process of getting older. ...

Disease

Disease also is theoretically surmountable via technology. Human understanding of genetics is leading to cures and treatments of a myriad of previously incurable diseases. The mechanisms by which other diseases do their damage are becoming better understood. Sophisticated methods of detecting diseases early are being developed. Preventative medicine is becoming better understood. Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's may soon be curable with the use of stem cells. Breakthroughs in cell biology and telomere research are leading to treatments for cancer. Vaccines are being researched for AIDS and tuberculosis. Genes associated with type 1 diabetes and certain types of cancer have been discovered allowing for new therapies to be developed. Artificial devices attached directly to the nervous system may restore sight to the blind. Drugs are being developed to treat myriad other diseases and ailments. By the mid 20th century humans had achieved a mastery of technology sufficient to leave the surface of the Earth for the first time and explore space. ... This article is about the general scientific term. ... A 1930 Soviet poster propagating breast care. ... Parkinsons disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferers motor skills and speech. ... Alzheimers disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimers, is a neurodegenerative disease that, in its most common form, is found in people over age 65. ... Mouse embryonic stem cells. ... Cell biology (also called cellular biology or formerly cytology, from the Greek kytos, container) is an academic discipline that studies cells. ... A telomere is a region of highly repetitive DNA at the end of a linear chromosome that functions as a disposable buffer. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... A vaccine is an antigenic preparation used to establish immunity to a disease. ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... The nervous system is a highly specialized network whose principal components are cells called neurons. ...

Trauma

Most likely the hardest cause of death to overcome is trauma. The problems of aging and disease usually at least provide ample time to solve them, if the technology exists. But even in a postulated world where aging and disease were correctable conditions, a sudden hole in the brain from a gunshot, for example, would not be. In situations where time available to provide treatment is extremely short, the success rate of even advanced paramedical technology remains low. Unless technology advances to the point (via perhaps nanotechnology) that a body can automatically treat itself from severe trauma, then the time it takes to deliver a patient to a care facility will likely remain the overriding factor. An additional problem with an injury such as a shot to the head is that with the damage, data is lost, so unless the person's mind has been "saved" before being shot, even if the tissue is repaired the data will remain unrecoverable, a severe problem if it's data needed to control vital organs, such as the lungs or heart. Also, unlike other organs, a brain can't be replaced in the same way other organs can. Preventatively engineering inherent resistance to injury into the body is thus relevant in addition to entirely reactive measures more closely associated with the paradigm of medical treatment (see transhumanism). In medicine, a trauma patient has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury resulting in secondary complications such as shock, respiratory failure and death. ... The Star of Life, a globally recognised symbol for emergency medical services A paramedic is a medical professional, usually a member of the emergency medical service, who responds to medical and trauma emergencies in the pre-hospital environment, provides emergency treatment and, when appropriate, transports a patient to definitive care... Buckminsterfullerene C60, also known as the buckyball, is the simplest of the carbon structures known as fullerenes. ... Posthuman Future, an illustration by Michael Gibbs for The Chronicle of Higher Educations look at how biotechnology will change the human experience, has become one of the secular icons representing transhumanism. ...

Physical immortality

Physical immortality is the unending existence of a person from a physical source such as a brain or computer. This can either be because of a spiritual belief, such as held by members of the Rastafari movement and some who practice Rebirthing-Breathwork or it can be based on technological singularity predictions about the future. Haile Selassie I The Rastafari movement, or Rasta, is a cultural value system that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah. ... Rebirthing is a branch of alternative medicine which postulates that human birth is a traumatic event (see birth trauma) and that a discipline of breathwork and focused awareness, often including a re-enactment of the birth process, can have therapeutic benefits. ... When plotted on a logarithmic graph, 15 separate lists of paradigm shifts for key events in human history show an exponential trend. ...

Technological immortality

Technological immortality is the prospect for much longer life spans made possible by scientific advances in a variety of fields: nanotechnology, emergency room procedures, genetics, biological engineering, regenerative medicine, microbiology, and others. Contemporary life spans in the advanced industrial societies are already markedly longer than those of the past because of better nutrition, availability of health care, standard of living and bio-medical scientific advances. Technological immortality predicts further progress for the same reasons over the near term. An important aspect of current scientific thinking about immortality is that some combination of human cloning, cryonics or nanotechnology will play an essential role in extreme life extension. Robert Freitas, a nanorobotics theorist, suggests we may be able to create tiny medical nanorobots that could go through our bloodstream, find dangerous things like cancer cells and bacteria, and destroy them.^[3] Freitas anticipates that gene-therapies and nanotechnology will eventually make the human body effectively self-sustainable and capable of living indefinitely, short of severe trauma. Some suggest we will be able to continually create biological or synthetic replacement parts to replace damaged or dying ones, a situation that could allegedly cause an organlegging problem as seen in much Science Fiction. Engineered negligible senescence refers to an engineered prevention or reversal of cellular aging (referred to as senescence in biology). ... Mouse embryonic stem cells. ... An agar plate streaked with microorganisms Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. ... Although genes are recognized as influencing [behavior] and [cognition], genetically identical does not mean altogether identical; identical twins, despite being natural human clones with near identical DNA, are separate people, with separate experiences and not altogether overlapping personalities. ... Robert A. Freitas Jr. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with nanorobotics. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Cryonics

Some people believe that such treatments will not be available in their natural life span. Cryonics is the practice of preserving organisms (either intact specimens or only their brains) for possible future revival by storing them at cryogenic temperatures where metabolism and decay are almost completely stopped. Ideally this would allow clinically dead people to be brought back in the future after cures to the patients' diseases have been discovered and aging is reversible. Modern cryonics procedures use a process called vitrification which creates a glass like state rather than freezing as the body is brought to low temperatures. This process reduces the risk of ice crystals damaging the brain structure. Many people who wish to become physically immortal think of cryonics as a backup plan in case the emerging life extension technologies don't develop rapidly enough. Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... Rejuvenation is the procedure of reversing the aging process, thus regaining youth. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an... In physics and chemistry, freezing is the process whereby a liquid turns to a solid. ...

Mind-to-computer uploading

Main article: Mind uploading

One interesting possibility involves uploading the personality and memories via direct mind-computer interface. Some extropian futurists propose that, thanks to exponentially growing computing power, it will someday be possible to upload human consciousness onto a computer system, and live indefinitely in a virtual environment. This could be accomplished via advanced cybernetics, where computer hardware would initially be installed in the brain to help sort memory or accelerate thought processes. Gradually more and more components would be added until the person's entire brain functions were handled by artificial devices, without any sharp transitions that would lead to some identity issues mentioned below. At this point, the human body would become only an accessory and the mind could be transferred to any sufficiently powerful computer. A person in this state would then be essentially immortal, short of cataclysmic destruction of the entire civilization and their computers. In transhumanism and science fiction, mind uploading (also occasionally referred to by other terms such as mind downloading, mind transfer, whole brain emulation, whole body emulation, or electronic transcendence) refers to the hypothetical transfer of a human mind to an artificial substrate, such as a detailed computer simulation of an... This article is about the computer terms. ... A direct mind-computer interface or direct neural interface is literally that - a direct cybernetic link between a mind and a computer. ... Extropianism, also reffered to as extropy, is a transhumanist philosophy characterized by a set of principles regarding extropy, defined by Dr. Max More in The Principles of Extropy. ... Future studies reflects on how today’s changes (or the lack thereof) become tomorrow’s reality. ... In mathematics, exponential growth (or geometric growth) occurs when the growth rate of a function is always proportional to the functions current size. ... In transhumanism and science fiction, mind uploading (also occasionally referred to by other terms such as mind downloading, mind transfer, whole brain emulation, whole body emulation, or electronic transcendence) refers to the hypothetical transfer of a human mind to an artificial substrate, such as a detailed computer simulation of an...

However, some argue that it is impossible to truly move one's consciousness from one body to another; it could be duplicated, but the original would still exist, creating two independent consciousnesses. Uploading is still only a hypothesis and has no scientific backing or proof that it is possible. In transhumanism and science fiction, mind uploading (also occasionally referred to by other terms such as mind downloading, mind transfer, whole brain emulation, whole body emulation, or electronic transcendence) refers to the hypothetical transfer of a human mind to an artificial substrate, such as a detailed computer simulation of an...

Quantum immortality

Main article: Quantum immortality

Quantum immortality is the name for the speculation that the Everett many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics implies that a conscious being cannot cease to be. The idea is highly controversial. It has been suggested that Quantum suicide be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Quantum suicide be merged into this article or section. ... The many-worlds interpretation (or MWI) is an interpretation of quantum mechanics, based on Hugh Everetts relative-state formulation. ...

Biological immortality

Main article: Biological immortality

Biological immortality is an absence of aging. A cell or organism that does not experience aging, or ceases to age at some point, is biologically immortal. Biologists have chosen the word immortal to designate cells that are not limited by the Hayflick limit (where cells no longer divide because of DNA damage or shortened telomeres). Prior to the work of Leonard Hayflick there was the erroneous belief fostered by Alexis Carrel that all normal somatic cells are immortal. By preventing cells from reaching senescence one can achieve biological immortality, telomeres, a “cap” at the end of DNA, are thought to be the cause of cell ageing. Every time a cell divides the telomere becomes a bit shorter and when it is finally worn down to a nub the cell is unable to split and dies. Telomerase.is an enzyme which rebuilds the telomeres in stem cells and cancer cells, allowing them to replicate an infinite number of times. No definitive work has yet demonstrated that telomerase can be used in human somatic cells to prevent our tissues from ageing. Organs, on the other hand, scientists hope to be able to grow with the help of stem cells, allowing organ transplants without the risk of rejection, another key to keeping the body fit and young. None of these technologies have yet been perfected, but are subject of research across the globe.^{[citation needed]} Biological immortality can be defined as the absence of a sustained increase in rate of mortality as a function of chronological age. ... A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of organisms. ... The Hayflick limit was discovered by Leonard Hayflick in 1965. ... DNA damage resulting in multiple broken chromosomes DNA repair refers to a collection of processes by which a cell identifies and corrects damage to the DNA molecules that encode its genome. ... A telomere is a region of highly repetitive DNA at the end of a linear chromosome that functions as a disposable buffer. ... Leonard Hayflick (born in 1928), Ph. ... Alexis Carrel Alexis Carrel (June 28, 1873 – November 5, 1944) was a French surgeon and biologist. ... The term somatic refers to the body, as distinct from some other entity, such as the mind. ...

Biologically immortal organisms can still die by being physically destroyed.

Cyborgization

Transforming a human into a cyborg can include brain implants or extracting a human mind and placing it in a robotic life-support system. Even replacing biological organs with robotic ones could increase life span (ie pace makers) and depending on the definition many technological upgrades to the bod, like genetic modifications or the addition of nanobots would qualify an individual as a cyborg. Such modifications would make one impervious to aging and disease and theoretically immortal unless killed or destroyed. For other uses, see Cyborg (disambiguation). ... Brain implants, often referred to as neural implants, are technological devices that connect directly to a biological subjects brain - usually placed on the surface of the brain, or attached to the brains cortex. ...

Joseph Wright of Derby, The Alchymist, In Search of the Philosopher's Stone, 1771

Download high resolution version (451x640, 78 KB)The Alchemist in Search of the Philosophers Stone (1771) by Joseph Wright of Derby. ... Download high resolution version (451x640, 78 KB)The Alchemist in Search of the Philosophers Stone (1771) by Joseph Wright of Derby. ... An Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump (1768). ...

Mystical and religious pursuits of physical immortality

Many Indian fables and tales include instances of metempsychosis — the ability to jump into another body — performed by advanced Yogis in order to live a longer life. There are also entire Hindu sects devoted to the attainment of physical immortality by various methods, namely the Naths and the Aghoras.^{[citation needed]} Metempsychosis is a philosophical term in the Greek language referring to the belief of transmigration of the soul, especially its reincarnation after death. ... A sculpture of a Hindu yogi in the Birla Mandir, Delhi A yogi (Sanskrit feminine: yogini) is a term for a male who practices various forms of the path of Yoga, maintaining a steadfast mind, the process of transcending the lower self. ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ...

Long before modern science made such speculation feasible, people wishing to escape death turned to the supernatural world for answers. Examples include Chinese Taoists^{[citation needed]} and the medieval alchemists and their search for the Philosopher's Stone, or more modern religious mystics such as Sri Aurobindo, who believed in the possibility of achieving physical immortality through spiritual transformation. In 18th century France, a man who called himself the Comte de Saint-Germain claimed to be centuries old; people who adhere to the Ascended Master Teachings are convinced of his physical immortality.^{[citation needed]} For other uses of the words tao and dao, see Dao (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Philosophers stone (disambiguation). ... Sri Aurobindo (Bangla: শ্রী অরবিন্দ Sri Ôrobindo, Sanskrit: श्री अरविन्द SrÄ« Aravinda) (August 15, 1872–December 5, 1950) was an Indian/Hindu nationalist, scholar, poet, mystic, evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru [1]. After a short political career in which he became one of the leaders of the early movement for the freedom of India... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The Count of St Germain († February 27, 1784) was a courtier, adventurer, inventor, amateur scientist, violinist, amateur composer, and generally mysterious gentleman; he also had at least pretensions of alchemy. ... Students of Ascended Master Teachings organizations (also known as Ascended Master Activities) believe that the Presence of Life - God - Individualizes as the I AM and incarnates throughout the created universes. ...

Rastafarians believe in physical immortality as a part of their religious doctrines. They believe that after God has called the Day of Judgment they will go to what they describe as Mount Zion in Africa to live in freedom for ever. They avoid the term "everlasting life"' and deliberately use "ever-living" instead. Rasta hairstyle Rastafarianism is a religious movement that believes in the divinity of ex Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This article or section should be merged with End times and Last judgment The Last Judgement - Tympanum sculpture at the Abbey Church of Ste-Foy, Conques-en-Rouergue, France In Christian eschatology, the Last Judgement is the ethical-judicial trial, judgement, and punishment/reward of individual humans (assignment to heaven... Zion (Hebrew: צִיּוֹן, tziyyon; Tiberian vocalization: tsiyyôn; transliterated Zion or Sion) is a term that most often designates the Land of Israel and its capital Jerusalem. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

Another group that believes in physical immortality are the Rebirthers, who believe that by following the connected breathing process of rebirthing they can physically live forever. Rebirthing is a branch of alternative medicine which postulates that human birth is a traumatic event (see birth trauma) and that a discipline of breathwork and focused awareness, often including a re-enactment of the birth process, can have therapeutic benefits. ...

Religious traditions

Spiritual immortality, also known as the Immortality of the soul, is the unending existence of a person from a nonphysical source such as a soul.

It is a belief that is expressed in nearly every religious tradition. In both Western and Eastern religions, the spirit is an energy or force that transcends the mortal shell, and returns to: (1) the spirit realm whether to enjoy heavenly bliss or suffer eternal torment in hell, or; (2) the cycle of life, directly or indirectly depending on the tradition. Below we consider the perspective of some of the world's most popular religions on spiritual immortality. Religious is a term with both a technical definition and folk use. ...

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that there is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and that the process is according to the qualities of their actions. This constant process of becoming ceases at the fruition of enlightenment (Bodhi) at which a being is no longer subject to causation (karma) but enters into a state that the Buddha called amata (deathlessness). However, in Buddhism there is no belief in an eternal soul (anatta), and some sects also believe in rather a collection of habits and memories in a dynamic process of constant change. At enlightenment the kammic seeds (sankharas or sanskaras) for all future becoming and rebirth are exhausted. After biological death an arhat or buddha enters into what is called parinirvana. A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ... Look up enlightenment, Enlightenment in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bodhi (बोधि) is the Pāli and Sanskrit word for the awakened or knowing consciousness of a fully liberated yogi, generally translated into English as enlightenment. It is an abstract noun formed from the verbal root budh (to awake, become aware, notice, know or understand), corresponding to the verbs bujjhati (P... For other uses, see Karma (disambiguation). ... Siddhartha and Gautama redirect here. ... A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... In Buddhist philosophy, anatta (Pāli) or anātman (Sanskrit) refers to non-self or absence of separate self[1]. One scholar describes it as ...meaning non-selfhood, the absence of limiting self-identity in people and things. ... An important Pali term featuring prominently in the teaching of the Buddha. ... Sanskaras are impressions derived from past experiences (in previous incarnations or in this life) that influence future responses and behavior. ... A Chinese Luohan statue from the Liao Dynasty in Hebei Province, China In the sramanic traditions of ancient India (most notably those of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha) arhat (Sanskrit) or arahant (Pali) signified a spiritual practitioner who had—to use an expression common in the tipitaka—laid down the burden... The death of the Buddha, or Mahaparinirvana, Gandhara 2-3rd century. ...

Christianity

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Christians believe that every person will be resurrected; Bible passages are interpreted as teaching that the resurrected body will, like the present body, be both physical (but a renewed and non-decaying physical body) and spiritual. After the Last Judgment, those who have been born again will live forever in the presence of God, and those who were never born again will be abandoned to never-ending consciousness of guilt, separation from God, and punishment for sin. Eternal death is depicted in the Bible as a realm of constant physical and spiritual anguish in a lake of fire, and a realm of darkness away from God. Some see the fires of Hell as a theological metaphor, representing the inescapable presence of God endured in absence of love for God; others suggest that Hell represents complete destruction of both the physical body and of spiritual existence. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all variously describe a resurrection of the dead, usually a resurrection of all people to face God on Judgment Day. ... Judgment Day redirects here. ... Born again is a term used originally and mainly in Christianity, where it is associated with salvation, conversion and spiritual rebirth. ... For other uses, see Sin (disambiguation). ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... In the Book of Revelation, the beast, the false prophet, the Satan, death, hades, and all those whose names arent written in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire[1]. In some interpretations, the servants of iniquity are tortured forever in the lake. ... This article is about the theological or philosophical afterlife. ...

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholic dogmatic theology also teaches that there is a supernatural realm called Purgatory where souls who have died in a state of grace but have yet to expiate venial sins or temporal punishments due to past sins are cleansed before they are admitted into Heaven. Catholic Church redirects here. ... Illustration for Dantes Purgatorio (18), by Gustave Doré, an imaginative picturing of Purgatory. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      In Christianity... For other uses, see Heaven (disambiguation). ...

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses believe the word soul (nephesh or psykhe) as used in the Bible is a person, an animal, or the life a person or animal enjoys. Hence, the soul is not part of man, but is the whole man — man as a living being. Hence, when a person or animal dies, the soul dies, and death is a state of non-existence, based on Ezekiel 18:4.^[4] Hell (hades or sheol) is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the common grave of humankind, a place of unconsciousness.^[5][6] After the final judgment, it is expected that the righteous will live for ever in an earth turned into a paradise. Book Of Ezekiel is rapper Freekey Zekeys debut album and debut on Diplomat Records/Asylum. ... This article is about the theological or philosophical afterlife. ... In Christian eschatology, the Last Judgment or Judgement Day is the ethical-judicial trial, judgment, and punishment/reward of individual humans (assignment to heaven or to hell) by a divine tribunal at the end of time, following the destruction of humans present earthly existence. ... Righteousness is an important concept in the theology of Judaism and Christianity. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Paradise, Jan Bruegel Paradise is an English word from Persian roots that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. ...

Other Christian Beliefs

Some sects who hold to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration also believe in a third realm called Limbo, which is the final destination of souls who have not been baptised, but who have been innocent of mortal sin. Souls in Limbo include unbaptised infants and those who lived virtuously but were never exposed to Christianity in their lifetimes. Christian Scientists believe that sin brought death, and that death will be overcome with the overcoming of sin. Baptism in early Christian art. ... This article is about the theological concept. ... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. ... “Baby” redirects here. ... Christian Science is a religious teaching regarding the efficacy of spiritual healing according to the interpretation of the Bible by Mary Baker Eddy, in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (first published in 1875). ...

Hinduism

Hindus believe in an immortal soul which is reincarnated after death. According to Hinduism, people repeat a cycle of life, death, and rebirth (a cycle called samsara). If they live their life well, their Karma increases and their station in the next life will be higher, and conversely lower if they live their life poorly. Eventually after many life times of perfecting one's karma, the soul is freed from the cycle and lives in perpetual bliss. There is no never-ending Hell in Hinduism, although if a soul consistently lives very evil lives, they could work their way down to the very bottom of the cycle. Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... This article is about the theological concept. ...

Judaism

Judaism claims that the righteous dead will be resurrected in the "messianic age" with the coming of the messiah. They will then be granted immortality in a perfect world. The wicked dead, on the other hand, will not be resurrected at all. This is in contrast to Christianity where the wicked dead are still immortal and exist forever in Hell. This is not the only Jewish belief about the afterlife. Others do believe in some version of Hell. The Tanakh is not specific about the afterlife, so there are wide differences in views and explanations among believers. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For the musical collective, see Tanakh (band). ...

Islam

Muslims believe that everyone has an immortal soul which will live on after death. A soul undergoes correction in Hell if it has led an evil life, but once this correction is over, the soul is admitted to Heaven. Souls that commit unforgivable evil will never leave hell. Some souls will therefore never taste Heaven. For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Shintoism

Shintoists claim that except for those who choose or are dispatched to the underground world of Yomi, every living and non-living being may lose its body, but not its soul (tamashii), and that they live together with mortal souls as an immortal being called Kami. Unlike the previously mentioned religions, Shinto allows anything to attain Kami status regardless of its existence before becoming Kami. Therefore, even those that do not believe in Shinto may choose to become Kami, as well as things like a rock, a tree, or even a robot. Some may be reincarnated for various reasons. Shinto has no version of Hell or a judgment day. Shinto ) is the native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. ... This article is about the location in japanese mythology. ... “Megami” redirects here. ...

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrians believe that on the fourth day after death, the human soul leaves the body and the body remains as an empty shell. The souls would go to heaven or hell. The concept of Heaven and Hell in Zoroastrianism may have influenced Abrahamic religions. Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). ...

Ethics of immortality

The possibility of clinical immortality raises a host of medical, philosophical, and religious issues and ethical questions. These include persistent vegetative states, the nature of personality over time, technology to mimic or copy the mind or its processes, social and economic disparities created by longevity, and survival of the heat death of the universe. A persistent vegetative state (PVS) is a condition of patients with severe brain damage in whom coma has progressed to a state of wakefulness without detectable awareness. ... The heat death is a possible final state of the universe, in which it has run down to a state of no free energy to sustain motion or life. ...

Undesirablity of immortality

Essential to many of the world's religions is a doctrine of an eternal afterlife. Narratives from Christianity and Islam show that eternal afterlife is not desirable to the unfaithful: While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existing for an infinite, i. ... For other uses, see Afterlife (disambiguation). ...

The rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Ώ // ---- Insert non-formatted text here]] For other uses, see Abraham (name) and Abram (disambiguation). ... Resurrection of Lazarus by Juan de Flandes, around 1500 For other uses, see Lazarus (disambiguation). ...

—Luke 16:22-26 King James Bible Translation

Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth. And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break. The Gospel of Luke (literally, according to Luke; Greek, Κατά Λουκαν, Kata Loukan) is a synoptic Gospel, and the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament. ... This page is about the version of the Bible; for the Harvey Danger album, see King James Version (album). ...

—The Qur'an, 11:106-108

Instances from other religions include the Buddhist concept of eternal rebirth, which considers that rebirth is caused by ignorance, an essentially undesirable condition that is to be overcome.^{[citation needed]} The Qur’ān [1] (Arabic: , literally the recitation; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Al-Quran) is the central religious text of Islam. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

Physical immortality has also been imagined as a form of eternal torment, as in Mary Shelley's short story The Mortal Immortal, the protagonist of which witnesses everyone he cares about dying around him. Jorge Luis Borges explored the idea that life gets its meaning from death in the short story The Immortal; an entire society having achieved immortality, they found time becoming infinite, and so found no motivation for any action. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin) (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English romantic/gothic novelist and the author of Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. ... Borges redirects here. ... The Immortal is a story by Jorge Luis Borges about a character who mistakenly achieves immortality and then, weary of a long life, struggles to lose it and writes an account of his experiences. ...

Desirablity of immortality

Many religions promise their faithful an eternal paradise in an afterlife. These presume perfection, as they are part of a divine plan, and are categorically desirable. Paradise, Jan Bruegel Paradise is an English word from Persian roots that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. ...

Physical immortality is considered desirable over its counterpart, death, which to date has been inevitable for all human beings. This presumes tolerable living conditions as an incentive for perpetual life, as the prevalence of suicide demonstrates. For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ...

Symbols

Ankh

Trefoil knot

There are numerous symbols representing immortality. Pictured here is an Egyptian symbol of life that holds connotations of immortality when depicted in the hands of the gods and pharaohs who were seen as having control over the journey of life, the ankh (left). The Möbius strip in the shape of a trefoil knot is another symbol of immortality. Most symbolic representations of infinity or the life cycle are often used to represent immortality depending on the context they are placed in. Other examples include the Ouroboros, the Chinese fungus of longevity, the ten kanji, the phoenix, and the colors amaranth (in Western culture) and peach (in Chinese culture).
Image File history File links Ankh. ... Image File history File links Ankh. ... For other uses, see Pharaoh (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ankh (disambiguation). ... A Möbius strip made with a piece of paper and tape. ... In knot theory, the trefoil knot is the simplest nontrivial knot. ... For other uses, see Ouroboros (disambiguation). ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ... For other mythic firebirds, see Fire bird (mythology). ... Amaranth (#E52B50) Amaranth is a red color that is a representation of the color of the flower of the amaranth plant. ... For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... Peach is a color that combine pink and orange colors. ... Chinese culture has roots going back over five thousand years. ...

Fiction

Main article: Immortality in fiction

Immortal beings and species abound in fiction, especially fantasy fiction. For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fiction (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ...

See also

Actuarial escape velocity is a concept invented by the futurist and sci-fi author Ray Kurzweil. ... For other uses, see Afterlife (disambiguation). ... Ageing or aging is the process of getting older. ... Amaranth (#E52B50) Amaranth is a red color that is a representation of the color of the flower of the amaranth plant. ... In ancient Greek mythology, Ambrosia (Greek ) is sometimes the food, sometimes the drink, of the gods, often depicted as conferring immortality on whoever consumes it. ... Look up Amrita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Aubrey David Nicholas Jasper de Grey, Ph. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Gerontology is the study of the elderly, and of the aging process itself. ... Bioethics is the ethics of biological science and medicine. ... Biological immortality can be defined as the absence of a sustained increase in rate of mortality as a function of chronological age. ... Chiranjeevins (Sanskrit nominative sing. ... Consciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise qualities such as subjectivity, self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and ones environment. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Not to be confused with cryogenics. ... For other uses, see Cyborg (disambiguation). ... In Mormon theology, there are three degrees of glory (alternatively, kingdoms of glory) which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth. ... The elixir of life, also known as the elixir of immortality or Dancing Water and sometimes equated with the Philosophers stone, is a legendary potion, or drink, that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth. ... The Immortalist Society is a charitable trust [501(c)3] organization devoted to research and education in the areas of cryonics and life extension. ... The current Immortality Institute header/logo. ... For other uses, see Infinity (disambiguation). ... This article is about life in general. ... This article is about the undead creature. ... For other uses, see Holy Grail (disambiguation). ... Henrietta Lacks (August 18, 1920 – October 4, 1951) was the involuntary donor of cells from her cancerous tumor, which were cultured by George Otto Gey to create an immortal cell line for medical research. ... Tom Riddles diary, the first Horcrux that Harry Potter encountered, as seen in the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. ... Subclasses Anthomedusae Laingiomedusae Leptomedusae Limnomedusae Siphonophorae Actinulidae Narcomedusae Trachymedusae Polypodiozoa Organisms of the Class Hydrozoa belong to the phylum Cnidaria. ... Indefinite lifespan is a term used in the life extension movement to refer to the longevity of humans (and other lifeforms) under conditions in which aging can be effectively and completely prevented and treated. ... Life extension refers to an increase in maximum or average lifespan, especially in humans, by slowing down or reversing the processes of aging. ... This list consists of people who have been considered immortal and who are considered to have been at least part human and to have lived at least part of their life in a physical realm. ... Longevity is a term that generally refers to long life or great duration of life.[1] Reflections on longevity have usually gone beyond acknowledging the basic shortness of human life and have included thinking about methods to extend life. ... Molecular nanotechnology (MNT) is the concept of engineering functional mechanical systems at the molecular scale. ... A Persian Immortal wielding a spear, wicker shield, dagger, and bow. ... For other uses, see Philosophers stone (disambiguation). ... Posthuman can have the following meanings: Posthuman (critical theory), a postmodern critique of human as a concept. ... It has been suggested that Quantum suicide be merged into this article or section. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... This article is about the theological concept. ... Rejuvenation is the procedure of reversing the aging process, thus regaining youth. ... Look up Resurrection in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In biology, senescence is the combination of processes of deterioration which follow the period of development of an organism. ... This article is about suspended animation in a medical context. ... Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)[1] was a world-renowned Serbian inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer and electrical engineer. ... Simulated reality is the idea that reality could be simulated — often computer-simulated — to a degree indistinguishable from true reality. ... When plotted on a logarithmic graph, 15 separate lists of paradigm shifts for key events in human history show an exponential trend. ... Posthuman Future, an illustration by Michael Gibbs for The Chronicle of Higher Educations look at how biotechnology will change the human experience, has become one of the secular icons representing transhumanism. ... Xian (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: hsien) is a Chinese word for an enlightened person, translatable in English as: spiritually immortal; transcendent; super-human; celestial being (in Daoist/Taoist philosophy and cosmology) physically immortal; immortal person; immortalist; saint (in Daoist religion and pantheon) alchemist; one who seeks the elixir of life...

Notes and references

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Richard James Allen (born 1960) is a contermporary Australian poet and dancer. ... Brian Alexander is a British broadcaster who is regularly to be heard on BBC Radio Five Live in the UK and on the BBC World Service. ... Benjamin William Bova (born November 8, 1932) is an American science fiction author and editor. ... Oscar Cullmann (25 February 1902 Strasbourg - 16 January 1999 Chamonix) was a Christian theologian in the Lutheran tradition. ... Paul Edwards, born Paul Eisenstein, (September 2, 1923-December 9, 2004) was an Austrian-American moral philosopher. ... Robert A. Freitas Jr. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Clifford A. Pickover is a writer in the fields of science, mathematics, and science fiction. ...

External links

Look up immortality in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Immortality

• Why We Age - A scientific resource for aging and anti-aging research
• Immortality / Eternal Life - An Evangelical Christian perspective
• Immortality: A Taoist perspective
• Artificial Immortality
• Mary Shelley's The Mortal Immortal
• Who Wants to Live Forever? - Overview of the Three Basic Types of Immortality
• Discussion of immortality
• Dictionary of the History of Ideas: - Death and Immortality; Resurrection; Reincarnation
• "How you Can Have Eternal Life" by Jack Graham
• KurzweilAI.net
• Immortality Online All the latest news on Immortality and Human Life Extension
• Immortality Institute - Advocacy and Research on Indefinite Lifespan - Scientific and sociological discussions, activism, research
• Jhershierra Immortality Message Board - Discussion board of spiritualist Jhershierra
• "Inventor Kurzweil Aiming to Live Forever"; RedNova
• The Quest For Immortality - Informative article on the current status of immortality-related science.
• A History of Man's Quest for Immortality Indepth research into four major areas of the Quest for Immortality: Elixir, Body, Science, and Soul.
• Pimm - Partial immortalization
• Achieving Immortality via the Scientific Method
• Immortality International - Life is a basic human right
• The Immortality of the Soul and the Resurrection of the Body by Heinrich J. Vogel
• Eternity by J. P. Meyer

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Major concepts	Time · Eternity · Arguments for eternity · Immortality Deep time · History · Past · Present · Future · Futurology	Time Portal
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Physical Sciences	Time in physics · Spacetime · Absolute time and space · T-symmetry Arrow of time · Chronon · Fourth dimension · Planck epoch · Planck time · Time domain Intercalation is the insertioffn of an extra day, week or month into some calendar years to make the calendar follow the seasons. ... A leap second is a one-second adjustment to civil time in order to keep it close to the mean solar time. ... For the 1921 film starring Fatty Arbuckle, see Leap Year (film). ... For the novel by Michael Crichton, see Timeline (novel). ... // For other uses, see time scale. ... Geological time scale. ... Geochronology is the science of determining the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments. ... Dating material drawn from the archaeological record can made by a direct study of a artifact or may be deduced by association with materials found in the context the item is drawn from or inferred by its point of discovery in the sequence relative to datable contexts. ... A calendar era is the year numbering system used by a calendar. ... Regnal year: the year of the reign of a sovereign. ... Generally a chronicle (Latin chronica, from Greek Χρόνος) is historical account of facts and events in chronological order. ... Look up timeline in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Periodization is the attempt to categorize or divide time into discrete named blocks. ... Wheel of time may refer to: The Wheel of time or history, a religious concept predominant in Buddhism and Hinduism The Wheel of Time, a fantasy book series by author Robert Jordan The Wheel of Time (computer game), an action first-person shooter based on the series The Timewheel, a... is the Sanskrit for time (from a root to enumerate; unrelated to black whence ). It denotes a fixed or right point in time (compare rtu, kairos). ... Kālacakra (Sanskrit कालचक्र; Tibetan དུས་ཀྱི་འཁོར་ལོ་ dus kyi khor lo) is a term used in Tantric Buddhism that means time-wheel or time-cycles. It refers both to a Tantric deity (Tib. ... For other uses, see Prophecy (disambiguation). ... opens chapter nine of The Dreaming Universe (1994) entitled The Dreamtime with a quote from The Last Wave, a film by Peter Weir: Aboriginals believe in two forms of time. ... Philosophy of space and time is the branch of philosophy concerned with the issues surrounding the ontology, epistemology, and character of space and time. ... Causality or causation denotes the relationship between one event (called cause) and another event (called effect) which is the consequence (result) of the first. ... Eternalism is a philosophical approach to the ontological nature of time. ... Eternal return or sometimes eternal recurrence is a concept originating from ancient Egypt and developed in the teachings of Pythagoras. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion because: this page is a test If you disagree with its speedy deletion, please explain why on its talk page or at Wikipedia:Speedy deletions. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Unreality of Time To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A-series and B-series are terms introduced by the Scottish idealist philosopher John McTaggart in 1908 which have become classic terms of reference in modern discussions of the philosophy of time, even outside the analytic tradition. ... The B-theory of time is a term, given to one a two positions taken by theorists, in the philosophy of time. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... In the philosophy of time, four dimensionalism is the view that reality is a four-dimensional continuum composed of time and space (spacetime). ... Perdurantism or perdurance theory is a philosophical theory of persistence and identity. ... In the philosophy of time, presentism is the belief that neither the future nor the past exists. ... Temporal Parts are used in contemporary metaphysics in the debate over persistence of material objects. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For other uses of this term, see Spacetime (disambiguation). ... In physics, the concept of absolute time and absolute space are hypothetical models in which time either runs at the same rate for all the observers in the universe or the rate of time of each observer can be scaled to the absolute time by multiplying the rate by a... T-symmetry is the symmetry of physical laws under a time-reversal transformation— The universe is not symmetric under time reversal, although in restricted contexts one may find this symmetry. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A chronon is a hypothetical concept in theoretical physics intended to describe a quantum of time. ... For other uses, see Fourth dimension (disambiguation). ... Named after Max Planck, in cosmology the Planck epoch (or Planck Era) is the earliest period of time in the history of the universe, from zero to 10-43 seconds (one Planck time), during which all four fundamental forces were unified and elementary particles did not yet exist. ... In physics, the Planck time (tP), is the unit of time in the system of natural units known as Planck units. ... Time-domain is a term used to describe the analysis of mathematical functions, or real-life signals, with respect to time. ... Theory of relativity · Time dilation · Gravitational time dilation · Coordinate time · Proper time
Psychology	Consciousness and spacetime · Mental chronometry · Reaction time · Sense of time · Specious present
Sociology and Anthropology	Futures studies · Long Now Foundation · Time discipline
Economics	Newtonian time in economics · Time value of money
Related topics	Space · Duration · Time capsule · Time travel · Time signature · Carpe diem · Tempus fugit

v • d • e Time in religion and mythology
Major subjects	Time — Cosmology · Religion · Mythology — Eternity · Arguments for eternity · Immortality Destiny and fate · Predestination · Religious predestination · Prophecy · Oracle · Divination · Eschatology	Time Portal
Time and fate deities of antiquity	Egyptian — Hemsut · Huh Ancient Near East — Ashima · Ishtar · Mamitu · Mammetun · Manah · Manu the Great · Meni Greek — The Fates: Moirae — Atropos · Clotho · Lachesis Two-dimensional analogy of space-time curvature described in General Relativity. ... Time dilation is the phenomenon whereby an observer finds that anothers clock which is physically identical to their own is ticking at a slower rate as measured by their own clock. ... Gravitational time dilation is a consequence of Albert Einsteins theories of relativity and related theories which causes time to pass at different rates in regions of a different gravitational potential; the higher the local distortion of spacetime due to gravity, the slower time passes. ... Coordinate time is the interval of time independent of relativistic time dilation. ... In relativity, proper time is time measured by a single clock between events that occur at the same place as the clock. ... Space-time theories of consciousness relate the geometrical features of conscious experience, such as viewing things in space-time at a point, to the geometrical properties of the universe itself. ... // Definition and history Psychologists have investigated mental chronometry for over 100 years. ... Reaction time (RT) is the elapsed time between the presentation of a sensory stimulus and the subsequent behavioral response. ... Although the sense of time is not associated with a specific sensory system, the work of psychologists and neuroscientists indicates that our brains do have a system governing the perception of time. ... The specious present is the time duration wherein ones perceptions are considered to be in the present. ... Future studies reflects on how today’s changes (or the lack thereof) become tomorrow’s reality. ... The Long Now Foundation, established in 1996, is a private organization that seeks to become the seed of a very long-term cultural institution. ... In sociology and anthropology, time discipline is the general name given to social and economic rules, conventions, customs, and expectations governing the measurement of time, the social currency and awareness of time measurements, and peoples expectations concerning the observance of these customs by others. ... The time value of money is the premise that an investor prefers to receive a payment of a fixed amount of money today, rather than an equal amount in the future, all else being equal. ... This article is about the idea of space. ... A duration is an amount of time or a particular time interval. ... For other uses, see Time capsule (disambiguation). ... Time travel is a concept that has long fascinated humanity—whether it is Merlin experiencing time backwards, or religious traditions like Mohammeds trip to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven, returning before a glass knocked over had spilt its contents. ... The time signature (also known as meter signature) is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and what note value constitutes one beat. ... For other uses, see Carpe diem (disambiguation). ... Tempus fugit on a sundial Tempus fugit is a Latin expression meaning time flees, more commonly translated as time flies. It is frequently used as an inscription on clocks. ... Look up time in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Cosmology, from the Greek: κοσμολογία (cosmologia, κόσμος (cosmos) order + λογια (logia) discourse) is the study of the Universe in its totality, and by extension, humanitys place in it. ... For other uses, see Mythology (disambiguation). ... While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existing for an infinite, i. ... Arguments for eternity composed a particularly important area of philosophical debate among Greek, Jewish, Islamic, and Christian philosophers during the ancient and medieval periods. ... For other uses, see Destiny (disambiguation). ... Predestination (also linked with foreknowledge) is a religious concept, which involves the relationship between the beginning of things and their destinies. ... Types of religious predestination Described in terms of human freedom Predestination may be described under two types, with the basis for each found within their definition of free will. ... For other uses, see Prophecy (disambiguation). ... This article is about prophetic oracles in various cultures. ... For other uses, see Divination (disambiguation). ... For the eschatological beliefs of various religions, see End Times. ... Image File history File links Portal. ... In Egyptian mythology, Hemsut (or Hemuset) was the goddess of fate and protection. ... Not to be confused with Hu (god). ... In the Hebrew Bible, Ashima is one of several deities protecting the individual cities of Samaria who are mentioned specifically by name in 2 Kings 17:30. ... For other uses, see Ishtar (disambiguation). ... In Akkadian and Sumerian mythology Mamitu was the goddess of destiny, who decreed the fate of the new-borns. ... Manāt was one of the three chief goddesses of Mecca. ... Meni was the pan-Semitic god of destiny. ... For other meanings, see Fate, a disambiguation page. ... Atropos is also a British entomological journal - see Atropos (journal). ... In Greek mythology, Clotho or Klotho, the Greek word Κλωθώ for spinner, was the youngest of the Moirae (the Fates). ... In Greek mythology, Lachesis (also Lakhesis: Gk. ... Ananke · Geras · Horae · Khronos · Tyche Roman — The Fates: Parcae — Decima · Morta · Nona In Greek mythology, Ananke (Greek ) was the personification of destiny, unalterable necessity and fate. ... Geras, detail of an Attic red-figure pelike, ca. ... Horae in Meyers, 1888 In Greek mythology, the Horae were three goddesses controlling orderly life. ... For other uses, see Chronos (disambiguation). ... Tyche on the reverse of this coin by Gordian III. In Greek mythology, Tyche (Roman equivalent: Fortuna) was the presiding tutelary deity that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. ... In Greek mythology, the white-robed Moirae or Moerae (Greek Μοίραι – the Apportioners, often called the Fates) were the personifications of destiny (Roman equivalent: Parcae, sparing ones, or Fatae; also equivalent to the Germanic Norns). ... In Roman mythology, Morta was the goddess of death. ... In Roman mythology, Nona was the equivalent of Clotho in Greek mythology. ... Camenae: Antevorte/Porrima · Carmenta · Egeria · Postverta Aeternitas · Anna Perenna · Chronos · Fortuna · Vertumnus Etruscan — Nortia Norse — Fates: Dís, Norns — Skuld · Verdandi · Wyrd Bavarian — Fates: Beten Baltic — Dalia · Lauma Polish — Sudz Romanian — Fates: Ursitoare Other European — Matres · Father Time In Roman mythology, the Camenae were originally goddesses of springs, wells and fountains, or water nymphs of Venus . ... In Roman mythology, Antevorte was the goddess of the future. ... Porrima can refer to: In Roman mythology, Porrima was a goddess and one of the two Carmentes (along with the goddess Postverta). ... In Roman mythology, Carmenta was the goddess of childbirth and prophecy, associated with technological innovation as well as the protection of mothers and children, and a patron of midwives. ... In Roman mythology, the goddess Egeria (of the black poplar) was a goddess of childbirth, wisdom and prophecy and was one of the Camenae. ... In Roman mythology, Postverta was the goddess of the past and one of the two Carmentes (along with the goddess Porrima). ... Aeternitas on an antoninianus by Trebonianus Gallus. ... Anna Perenna was an old Roman deity of the circle or ring of the year, as the name (per annum) clearly indicates. ... For other uses, see Chronos (disambiguation). ... Fortuna governs the circle of the four stages of life, the Wheel of Fortune, in a manuscript of Carmina Burana In Roman mythology, Fortuna (equivalent to the Greek goddess Tyche) goddess of fortune, was the personification of luck, hopefully of good luck, but she could be represented veiled and blind... In Roman mythology, Vertumnus (Vortumnus, Vertimnus) was the god of seasons, change and plant growth, as well as gardens and fruit trees. ... In Etruscan mythology, Nortia was the goddess of fate and chance. ... The dying Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok exclaimed in Krákumál: the dísir invite me home (to Valhalla). This is an illustration of a lady welcoming Odin back to Valhalla on the Tängvide image stone, Gotland. ... Look up Norns in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In Norse mythology, Skuld was one of the Norns, and she was also one of the Valkyries. ... In Norse mythology, Verdandi (ON: Verðandi), also known as Verthandi, is one of the three norns, along with Urd and Skuld. ... Wyrd is a concept in ancient Anglo-Saxon and Nordic cultures roughly corresponding to fate. ... The triple spiral has been cast by some theorists, such as Marija Gimbutas, as a symbol of the Triple Goddess. ... In Lithuanian mythology, Dalia is the goddess of weirding and doom. ... Lauma, in Baltic mythology, is a woodland faery, and guardian spirit of orphans. ... Sudz is a Polish god of destiny and glory. ... In Romanian mythology, the three Ursitoare are supposed to appear three nights after a childs birth to determine the course of its life. ... The Matres or Matronae were ancient deities venerated in northwestern Europe in Roman and earlier times. ... This article is about the personification of time. ... Philippine — Kan-Laon
Hinduism	Kālī · Mahakali · Mahākāla (Shiva) · Kāla (time)
Buddhism	Wheel of time · Kalachakra · Maitreya
Judaism	Ancient of Days · Ein Sof (Kabbalah) Hebrew calendar · Missing years · Jewish holidays · Passover · Shabbat
Christianity	Gregorian calendar · Liturgical year · Sabbath in Christianity Easter · Computus · Moveable feast · Easter controversy · Quartodecimanism · Reform of the date of Easter
Islam	Islamic calendar · Muslim holidays · Predestination in Islam
Other traditions	Dreamtime / The Dreaming · Oracle bone · Maya calendar
Related topics	Days of the week