Do you believe you aren't afraid of death?

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying? What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

A very interesting point. I am now in my sixties but since my mid fifties hardly a day goes by without somebody mentioning my age. Mostly it is light hearted stuff but would never be allowed if they were talking about my race or gender.

I can only assume that it is some form of reassurance, in that they probably have longer to live than I do.

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying? What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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I don't believe they do that at all. The first is just a natural reaction to the many ailments humans suffer from, our attempts to counter these, and life is good for most, so why not want to live as long as possible. Granted that many live very limited lives at the end - I should know - I saw my mother's last few years and the last especially was none too pleasant - Alzheimer's probably. Hardly means they fear death - more that they prefer life.

The second, our fascination with youthfulness, is agreed more problematic. Much seems to come from obtaining an advantage in life, since youth and beauty do seem to be valued over many other things. Our error, in believing that beauty is usually associated with other qualities (halo effect), is just another human error of thinking, but the youthing does presumably extend their working life or make them more competitive. What is happening in South Korea and elsewhere - V-lining - is quite an interesting and relatively new phenomenon. I don't think the fear of death is involved here either though.

The seeking immortality aspect again is just a way to extend what many have already, and perhaps many haven't really considered the downsides to this. Can't think of anything to say about the last.

Why on earth (or Earth) would we not want to ensure that human life continues and flourishes? Not doing so would indicate we might have a death wish rather than the reality, which is an innate desire to give to any future generations as much or more as we have had ourselves. Can't see anything wrong with that.

Edit: I don't think I'm afraid of death - expecting nothing - just that I would rather live.

Quintessence said:

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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I'm not so sure that I do support extending human life by medical means - not if the quality of that life is in question. Would anyone want to live to be 112 if the last thirty or forty years of that life were spent in a vegetative state?

As for the other, I do strongly support off-world settlement. (Having all our eggs in one basket is fine as long as nothing happens to the basket, but I'd rather not chance it.) However, this is because I would like for the human race to continue, not because it would save me. I'm sure I'll be long gone before humans start to settle other worlds.

Depends, I'd rather live a long time but if the end comes then it comes. So I support researching things improving health and longevity.

Quintessence said:

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death?

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Any kind of hoarding or denial of needing others. There is no way to live normally without other people, but sometimes people get this idea that they can. I think they are in denial about their own frail and fragile existence or cannot deal with it. Hoarding knowledge, money, land and so forth are also similar denials of reality. Books are supposed to be read, not hoarded. Land should be worked and enjoyed, not stashed. If you read books and then just like to collect the ones you have read that is different, or if you like to keep your land looking great that is different. I am talking about gathering knowledge and keeping it safe or having land that just does nothing in case you need it someday. The attempt to capture the knowledge and own it rather than enjoy it seems linked to the regret about length of life, as does the hoarding of money or land. It is also hoarding to hold on to goals that we are not working towards. If you are not working towards your goals then why deny it? You deny it because you cannot accept it. I think trying to go it alone is probably linked to regret about death. If you are making your plans in such a way that you will not need any help you are in serious denial. If you do not want to depend upon anyone else and are trying not to be woven into the normal fabric that is a sign of regret, regret about your true situation.

Quintessence said:

Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

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I do not know if I agree with the word fear but certainly regret. The fear is guaranteed if my death is unpleasant, but hopefully I can put off that fear until the moment comes. When I think about it, I do feel fear in the same way I fear getting shots or surgery or being bit by an animal. Its just a normal visceral loathing of pain and loss, nothing special.

I bemoan the impact of my death more than I fear it.

Of course I'm not scared of death. When I die, I will go to the heavens, where the Flying Spaghetti Monster has built a beer volcano and stripper factory for his worshipers. Although I would prefer not to die, as I enjoy the realm of the living.

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying? What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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I got in trouble in one post for seeing breeding as a means of continuing. Still do even though not a popular idea to some.

There maybe something else, some kind of conscious continuance but there is no scientific evidence for such so I'm not banking on it.

I suspect death is probably non-existence. Seems kind of peaceful to me after an otherwise hectic life.

Honestly the continuance of one's DNA into the future seems fulfilling enough to me. I've "fulfilled my purpose" well enough I suppose. Whatever happens after that I'm ok with.

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying?

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Quite possible, I must assume. But I still don't think so. I think about death on a fairly regular basis, for what it is worth. Always did AFAICR.

What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

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• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.

Indeed. I find that very questionable from both ethical and pragmatical perspectives. We often end up sacrificing the possibilities of the healthy in order to ensure the misery of the wealthy.

• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.

Quite true. But aging and death are not very closely correlated. IMO this favor towards youth is at least as much due to a longing for lost inocence and freshness of perspectives as anything else, including awareness of approaching death.

I suspect that many people fear a stagnant or frustrating life far more than they fear death. Or they would if they allowed themselves to consider the contrast with any attention.

• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.

Yeah. I always found that a form of derangement, myself. I want to eventually die, thank you very much.

• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

And fixation on space travel as a form of outlasting the ecological collapse of human-survivable environments, as well.


That seems to me to be tied far more to cravings for power and certainty than immortality proper.

People hold tight to hopes for giving their children more land and wealth than they had themselves.

Even excessive breeding, perhaps irrationality, is often motivated by the hope that at least one member of one's offspring will "make it good" and thereby avenge their parents' vanity and expectations from life.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life?

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I think that I am at least close to that. I certainly think of longevity as over-rated and of quality of life as under-rated.

Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species?

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Bingo!

Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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These last two examples do indeed strike me as being in the thrall of deep, irrational fear of death.

I don't think I fear it, but I know I'm sad about it. There is a lot of stuff I'd love to do that I don't think I'll have time for

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying? What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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Yes. Its like the fountain of youth. Immortality always sound like fiction. We need to find ways to be comtortable with our mortality. What I think is weird is people are freezing their bodies so when medical research advances theyd find ways to bring the body alive again. I never heard of the last one. All the ways to ward death, for example, making cures for irriversable illnesses to a dying patient, could just be to assure loved ones "there doing as much as they can"

I watched a non bias view and service lecture of christian science. I see nothing bad about it. Their view of curing death is that one depends on you to heal from god before (not in place of) medical treatments.

I went to a spiritualist church couple years ago and they view no one dies. The former says its a matter of perspective. Its human nature to fear the unknown. Goes with survival techniques. Its not a waste of time to find ways to live healthy but not to the expense we forget we will, not would, die.

Edit.

If I could live for an eternity, I think I would be able to reach my goal as a professional soccer player.

I think our society will turn for the worst if we unlocked the science to live forever. Death is nature's way of cleansing and reestablishing a baseline.

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no." Perhaps this is because we don't actively think about death on a daily basis, so we don't really think of ourselves as fearing death and dying? What if we look at things from a somewhat different angle and examine our behaviors or beliefs that seem to indicate a fear of death? These, for example, suggest a fear of death:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

What other examples of human behaviors and habits might indicate a strong fear of death? Is there something I've listed so far that rubs you the wrong way or strikes you as being off?

Are there any among you who can genuinely say you don't support, for example, medical research that seeks to prolong and extend human life? Or that you don't support space expansionism to stave off the extinction of the human species? Do you believe this relates to a fear of death, or does it seem unrelated to you?

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Having a certain belief in a positive afterlife, I would say I am not afraid of death. The decaying process leading to death is more of a dread than a fear.

Medical efforts to extend life are not contradictory to a lack of fear of death. Of course I think quality of life over quantity should be the priority.

I have some fear of death, if only because there are parts of life I enjoy or look forward to enjoying. I have no reason to think there will be anything to fear after dying though. I'll just be dead.

Personally, I fear pain the most, not death. I always hope I'll die peacefully because wasting away in agony sounds terrifying to me. I don't believe in an afterlife so I think I'll just cease to exist and I'm ok with that.

Quintessence said:

• Supporting human medical research. While some research is geared towards quality of life, much is geared towards prolonging human life and extending its quantity.
• Enshrining youthfulness. Age and signs of aging are seen as flaws and defects to be corrected or hidden. The standard of beauty is the young face, not the old face.
• Seeking immortality. This could be belief in an immortal soul and afterlife, wanting to upload your brain to a computer, or some other means of eternity.
• Expansionism. Expanding one's sphere of influence is a way of thwarting death and takes many forms ranging from breeding to colonialism.

Click to expand...

Supporting human medical research. I can see how it can be related to the fear of death. Personally, since I fear pain more, I'd rather we focus on quality of life.

Enshrining youthfulness. Hmm, if I were to attempt a semi-educated guess, to me it seems to relate to our biology and instincts. Youth being related to strength, beauty and fertility. You can see that in every animal, the one chosen as a mate being stronger, better looking and younger. Not saying it can't be related to a fear of death too, I've seen examples of that reason.

Seeking immortality. This is probably the most related one. Most transhumanist describe death as a sickness that needs to be eliminated. Some people are afraid of death, especially if they don't believe in an afterlife. Nothingness and annihilation of the "self" is scary to some. There's some others that just want to live longer and chose when to end their lives.

Expansionism. I don't really see why space colonies would be linked to a fear of death, for an individual. It could help ensure that descendants live on but it does nothing to prevent their own death. It's more about preserving the existence of human animals, which is a neutral endeavour, in my opinion. If you argue it's death of humanity, then yes, maybe. But isn't that a natural instinct? If we didn't have that, we would probably have died off a long time ago.

I don't exactly approve of expansionism when it comes to us breeding without thought of the consequences. The problem is that either we'd need to either have a more sustainable way of life (so possibly less comfort and indulgences) or have a lower population. Even if we were to chose the former, the planet can't have infinite amount of people. Right now, people want both a western life and don't want to be limited in the amount of children. Just think of what happens when a species outgrows the environment it's in? We're no different. Even with technology, the planet has limits. I guess that's one part of why people want to colonise other planets.

I fear that as much as some of us want to preserve humanity, we're not doing a great job at it, we consistently shoot ourselves in the foot and hope some miracle (whether divine or technological) would save us from our mistakes. Maybe we can live on, depending on how dire it is or maybe we should work at not continuing those mistakes once we're aware of them. *COUGHclimatechangeCOUGH*

Quintessence said:

When asked if they fear death or dying, it seems that many will answer "no."

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Really? It is the greatest fear I have.

Currently, not suffering any illnesses and still in the prime of my life, I can state with certainty that I am not afraid to die. Neither do I have a religious belief to falsely comfort me, for I am an infidel. I figure that most people truly begin to fear death for one of two main reasons: onset of old age or a seriously debilitating illness that leaves one unexpectedly with only a short amount of time left to live.

Realistically, if extending human life by an extreme length (and immortality as well) is possible in any true sense (so significantly increasing it past our natural life span), what would it do to our bodies?



As for in the first paragraph, I actually used to think about death a lot, a real lot. Existentialism is kind of my grounds to where my spiritual development truly started. After a while, I think you start to realize that fixation on death (well, not morbid fixation....) or dying, is rather unconstructive to the life you are living.
It seems that we would rather live forever, than attempt to live the life we do have to it's fullest.
(afterlives and reincarnation is irrelevant to this, as the life I am talking about is the exact same one writing this post)

Carlita said:

Their view of curing death is that one depends on you to heal from god before (not in place of) medical treatments.

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You should tell them that. Just google "faith healing deaths"