What if Death Isn’t the End? The Science of Forever
The Michael Shermer Show
Exploring Identity and Mortality
This chapter delves into the intricate concepts of personal identity and selfhood, using philosophical insights and examples like Phineas Gage to examine how memories and attributes shape an individual over time. It tackles the implications of cryonics and the evolving definitions of death, questioning the continuity of self amid physical changes and the possibility of life after death without retained memory. Additionally, the discussion covers mortality awareness, comparing human and animal perspectives on death while highlighting survey data on life expectancy desires across different age groups.
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