We die because we are no longer ourselves.

  • Thread starter Thread starter b11ngoo
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of identity and mortality, exploring philosophical and biological perspectives on why we die. Participants consider concepts related to aging, the continuity of self, and the potential for medical advancements to preserve identity and vitality over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that we die because we lose our essence over time, proposing that if knowledge could be preserved, it might allow us to maintain our identity.
  • Another participant counters this view, asserting that aging does not diminish their sense of self, emphasizing the richness of experience gained with age.
  • A reference is made to Bertrand Russell, who reportedly maintained cognitive agility into his 90s, suggesting that mental acuity can persist despite aging.
  • One participant introduces the idea that death is linked to cellular processes, specifically mentioning programmed cell division and the role of telomeres in aging.
  • Another participant expresses surprise at the programmed nature of aging, initially believing it to be largely random.
  • There is a suggestion that while increasing intelligence may complicate the control of one's mind, it is essential to engage in life-affirming activities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between aging and identity, with some asserting that the self remains intact over time, while others propose that identity diminishes with age. The discussion includes competing explanations for the biological processes of aging, particularly regarding cellular regeneration and the role of telomeres.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about cellular aging and the mechanisms involved are not fully explored or substantiated, leaving room for further discussion on the biological aspects of aging and identity preservation.

b11ngoo
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
We are no longer the body, mind, blood. We are at birth, or mid life, when we are old. This is why we die. I can say, if Einstein lived to now. His mind would be different from the mind he had when he was young and healthy. So, it seems we die because we lose what we are.

If knowledge in the genes is discovered. We may find a way to stay ourselves (young/alive).

I think this is not being considered in medicine right now ? Knowledge being our vitality.

Is there any concept in medicine to keep the information contained in a young body from being forgotten, or experiencing entropy ?

This is just conjecture. I don't know medicine at all. But what's your opinion on what I said ?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
This is just youthful ignorance. I am old(70) and still myself. I have a lot more of myself to enjoy and ponder now than I did when I was young.
 
The mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell is said to have had an agile mind right up into his 90s.
 
Youth in perspective

Originally posted by selfAdjoint
This is just youthful ignorance. I am old(70) ... I was young.
A 700-year-old may look at your first statement and see it as having two meanings.




-Chris
 
I'll let you know when I'm 700
 
the reason we die is..we are not smart enough to stop it.but the more smarter we get,the more we fill in and the more we think...and the harder it would be to control your mind.so your mindpowers good,but you should control it by doing things or getting yourself a nice life.
im writing this to you but mostly to myself.
 
selfAdjoint said:
This is just youthful ignorance. I am old(70) and still myself. I have a lot more of myself to enjoy and ponder now than I did when I was young.

did you gain weight? :-)
 
people die because cells stop dividing at a programed time based on the gene tip length ( I forget what they are called)

anyway, after a time, you begin getting old because the cells that are regenerating are "not of as high a quality" as the cells from your youth, and at one point, cells in an organ just can not divided and repair damage, so you get weakening artery walls in the brain or an aorta wall that has thinned, or lungs that cannot longer bring in a sufficient supply of oxygen, etc. and you die. the secret to living longer is to keep those cells capable of regenerating, but doing so in a controlled way since the opposite of the cell death is Cancer.
 
people die because cells stop dividing at a programed time based on the gene tip length ( I forget what they are called)


What you're thinking of is telomeres, at the tips of chromosomes. As part of the chromosome dividing, when the cell reproduces, the telomere loses one unit. When the units are all gone, the cell can't reproduce any more.
 
  • #10
wow I never knew it was that programmed I thought 'chance' had a lot to do with it
 

Similar threads

Natural selection, evolution "why are we still sick"
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
What fraction of genes do we share with relatives and with other species?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
6K
Mice Have Longer Lives If Taking Bodybuilding Supplement
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
COVID Covid Long Haulers: Statistics Show Potential for Serious Health Issue
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
11K
COVID COVID-19 Vaccine Progress: Are We Ready for Rollout in Australia?
  • · Replies 235 ·
8
Replies
235
Views
23K
When we die what becomes of our intangible memories & experiences?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Human evolution - From sperm to ape
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Is the evolution of our technology and medicine leading to de-evolution ?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Medical Fecal Transplants to Cure Disease?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Medical Is consciousness essential for life to exist
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
7K