In this blog post, we will explore both the positive possibilities eternal life could bring to humanity and the side effects that come with it.
Eternal life means immortality. It signifies humanity’s ability to live forever. Humankind has long yearned for and strived toward eternal life, and with the advancement of related technologies, we are gradually approaching that goal. Research fields gaining recent attention include stem cells, artificial organs, and bioengineering—all deeply connected to human immortality. Yet, whether immortality will truly bring happiness to humanity remains questionable.
Is immortality even possible? Research into anti-aging technologies like stem cells, artificial organs, and telomerase is actively progressing. Particularly in the field of artificial organs, positive results have been achieved in areas like artificial noses and ears. If this research progresses further, humanity may achieve eternal life. But is living forever truly positive? Some argue that eternal life could degrade quality of life. Rapid population growth could lead to resource and energy shortages, increased social burdens due to extended average lifespans, and land scarcity. However, I believe these problems can be adequately addressed.
First, while immortality implies the ability to sustain life indefinitely, it differs from unconditional immortality in that one can choose to end their life at any time. Of course, there is a difference between finite and infinite life, but one would not fall into boredom due to infinity. By dividing one’s life into distinct phases, setting goals for each phase, and achieving them, the burden of infinite life can be mitigated. Therefore, I do not believe eternal life would diminish quality of life. Resource and energy issues can also be naturally resolved through technological advancements developed for eternal life. Research into renewable energy is already actively underway, and continued progress in this field will overcome resource and energy challenges.
Increasing average age will not be problematic either. Aging becomes an issue due to health concerns, welfare burdens, and a shrinking working-age population, but technological progress can resolve these challenges. Furthermore, societal perceptions of the elderly will change over time. The utilization of the elderly workforce will also improve, making it inappropriate to view increasing average age as a problem. Land scarcity can also be sufficiently overcome through technologies like high-rise buildings or floating structures.
Despite these solutions, opposing views may exist. For instance, Martin Heidegger argued that “failure to recognize the finiteness of time lowers happiness.” However, I believe that by dividing life into segments and achieving goals, one can experience fulfillment and happiness even in an infinite life. Furthermore, while Jacques Lacan argued that “non-subjective desire can lead to a perpetually dissatisfied life,” this is merely a problem that exists even now and can be sufficiently overcome if one can control the desires of others.
Ultimately, overcoming these counterarguments would allow humanity to enjoy various benefits through immortality. If we could do whatever we desire without time constraints within infinite time, the quality of human life would greatly improve. If immortality were possible, life would become richer, leading to increased happiness and satisfaction. Furthermore, immortality would accelerate technological advancement, which would in turn drive progress in diverse fields such as academia, literature, and the arts. Consequently, humanity could live without scarcity, and crime and war would naturally diminish.
Some still view immortality negatively. However, examining the basis for these arguments reveals many issues that are either solvable or simply misguided. The benefits humanity would gain through immortality far outweigh any drawbacks. We could live more abundant and satisfying lives while enjoying immortality, and for this reason, I am confident that immortality would bring happiness to humanity.
