Deathism?

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Yes? No? Why?

***Edited to include the below link to a definition of sorts...I'd presumed that the idea (referenced in some recent PPR posts) was at least somewhat known, but 'twould seem not. Even the Wikipedia entry could use some work, and it's the best summary I could find: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:B0gger/Deathism

Last edited by Natty_Boh on 23 Feb 2011, 1:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Never heard of it. What is it?

It would be wise to provide a definition beforehand for something that most people don't know about.

If it's what drives all those goths and vampire kids then no

Personally, I would begin here by first sorting my own "philosophies, psychologies, attitudes, positions, opinions, and viewpoints", and at that point I would say "deathism" flies in the face of altruism.

It is certainly nothing unknown - if you read carefully and especially if you havve ever thought on these things.

It is explicit in a variety of literature, ranging from [at least] Irish and Persian folklore, and such items based thereon as Rip van Winkle [though that is modified], to the recently quoted Johnny Pye and of course Tolkien's elves. At least as much explored in scifi as the triumphalist extension of temporal life.

Religious traditions postulating an exit from the maze - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam - fall here although some of us might reject the word, THERE-life not being sensu stricto death though generally attained by dying.

Much nature thinking has traditionally seen death as extremely imporetant to the biosphere.

The article cited - clearly under construction - is not the most lucid possible, though I do not doubt that no better was at hand.

When I first started talking to my wife - BC, that was, in my chronology - she rather frightened me, saying she could not wait to die. Took a while to understand. It is not explicit in our current culture, and was new concept.

Once seen however, one understands and is very much there.

in the transhumanist community at least deathists are the people who accept death as a natural part of the human life cycle-they are the pessimists that have given up hope

I would certainly say birth and death each are parts of life ... but is something more than that meant by "life cycle"?

I will repeat - accepting death as natural is far from pessimistic. It is not the optimist who drinks coffee all night because he is afraid of falling asleep.

Not that I think your transhumanism necessarily pessimist - I am sure for at least some there is anticipation of ultimate adventure.

I'm more a sit under the tree Ferdinand than a downhill skier - after peace not thrills.

I do have a pessimistic streak - and like I say eternal temporal existence and broken recoird reincarnation do nothing to attract me.

I see my death as a necessary evil, for my own subjective good. I really dislike the idea of existing for more than a few more years. I don't think Conscious existence in itself is necessarily a bad thing, but existence as shaped by natural selection can, and should be finite in duration. In its current state, my existence is a shadow of Platonic idealism; l desperately want to experience my dream-like notions of love and happiness and beauty, but I know I never will, nor will any human. As Dante said best, Lost are we and are only so far punished, That without hope we live on in desire.

So yes, l am a hesitant Deathist.

Darwinism assumes mortality.

the reason im a transhumanist biological immortalist is because i dont care much for "Ultimate Adventure" as that sounds really dangerous and what rebellious deathists are mainly into and i dont care to put myself in much danger unless necessary

... and so with a mere click of the heels ... off we go ... or would that be ... 'ere we stay ... eh?!

Sounds like me. Personally I reckon that we might as well avoid the whole kerfuffle of life and get it over with. Sleep is wonderful.

Blasted survival instincts... and my boundless DOUBT!

not necessarily; If you really think about it all that you need is differential reproductive success and incomplete hereditary fidelity for natural selection to occur. Death isn't actual a necessary criterion , although Biology would look a lot different if it was not for mortality.

your acting like i believe in magic no, i believe in science(please view other posts of recent scientific and medical advancements)