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Originally Posted by JimOfferman  We are in fact purposely programmed to die. There is very strong evidence that parts of our DNA control both aging and the "self termination" of the organism at old age. Strictly speaking, at the celular level, there is no reason why we should die - cells could just be renewed endlessly and flawlessly. |
Hmm, I think this is a problem of loose definitions. I take "purposely programmed" to mean that someone did the programming. So yes, while shortening telomeres signal the approaching end of a cell's life, and various other processes amount to the similar results throughout our body, the existence of those processes doesn't imply they were put there by someone or something. Saying they were "programmed" also invites the question "by who". Saying they were "purposely programmed" makes that invitation stronger.
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Originally Posted by JimOfferman Don't put things in my mouth that I did not say! All I said was that an immortal Da Vinci might have been cool, but I am very glad that there is no immortal Hitler. |
Ahh, I'm sorry if I misinterpreted, but by saying "I'm glad to have missed out on that one because that also means that the likes of Hitler were mere mortals" it seems you're implying that they're linked. I was pointing out that Da Vinci or Hitler's contribution to humanity has nothing to do with the worth of the other's immortality. (besides, if we had methods of achieving immortality surely we'd also have methods of ending it, or at least rendering a person unable to influence everyone else)
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Originally Posted by JimOfferman That would be nature. |
As with your use of the words "purposely programmed" here you seem to be saying that a non-sentient construct (or process in the other case) is capable of intention. Is that what you're saying?
In either case if that's what you believe then I'll leave you alone since you're happy for others to believe differently. But I might still point out why I don't agree
