Neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston - How and Why We Should Abolish Death
Dec 17, 2024
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Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, an Australian neuroscientist and science communicator, challenges our views on mortality and consciousness in this intriguing conversation. He discusses groundbreaking methods that could preserve human minds beyond death, sparking a debate on the ethics and implications of immortality. Ariel explores humanity's complex relationship with death and suggests a hopeful outlook for the future, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational connections and ethical considerations in advancing these technologies.
Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston argues for redefining death by considering personal identity loss rather than traditional physiological markers as technology evolves.
Johnston emphasizes the moral obligation to overcome death and improve quality of life through responsible technological advancements for future generations.
Deep dives
The Fascination with Consciousness
Ariel Zeleznikov Johnston expresses a deep fascination with how the brain constructs our identities and experiences, leading him to specialize in neuroscience and consciousness studies. He highlights the complexity of subjective experiences, such as how we perceive colors or sounds, and engages in research to quantify these experiences through experimental methods. By comparing individual judgments about sensory perception, he aims to develop a formalized understanding of consciousness. This intersection of biological processes and philosophical questions forms the foundation of his work in neuroscience.
Challenging Conventional Views on Death
Johnston's perspective on death deviates from mainstream beliefs, arguing for a redefinition based on the loss of personal identity rather than conventional measures like heart and brain function. He details how the definition of death has evolved with medical advancements, pointing out that current standards may become outdated as technology progresses. He advocates for an understanding of death that considers advances in medical technology and options for preserving brain structures. This evolving view raises critical questions about the essence of life and identity in the face of these innovations.
The Obligation to Prevent Death
In his upcoming book, Johnston asserts that humans have a moral obligation to overcome death, a claim he explores with various philosophical and empirical arguments. He acknowledges a prevalent fear of dying but focuses on the desire for extended life, referencing survey data indicating a strong will to live even among terminally ill individuals. Through panel data, he illustrates that many people would choose to live significantly longer lives if assured of good health. This claim invites discussions on the implications of mortality and the human will to survive in an ever-evolving medical landscape.
The Future of Humanity and Technology
Johnston discusses the potential for future societies to improve the quality of life through advancements in technology, arguing for a hopeful outlook on future human existence. He believes that the trajectory of human progress indicates a brighter future, citing historical improvements in health, safety, and social conditions. Johnston emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations when integrating such technologies for extending life, asserting that societal advances will shape our moral responsibility to future generations. Ultimately, he envisions a future where improved medical capabilities could allow individuals to contribute positively to society without compromising their humanity.
Can scientists now preserve human minds beyond death - and if so, should they? Australian neuroscientist and science communicator Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston joins us to explain the cutting-edge of his field.
The dream of immortality has existed for as long as the human imagination and until now remained just that: a dream. But neuroscientist and science communicator Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston believes that neuroscientists can, and should, use cutting-edge tools to help cheat death by preserving us until such time that we can be brought back to life. He joins us on the podcast to make a provocative case both for this nascent technology and for a future that will be worth living in, where our descedants will not scorn us but welcome us with open arms.