Cryonics is the science of preserving human bodies at extremely low temperatures in the hopes that one day, medical technology will be advanced enough to revive them. It is a controversial topic that raises many ethical and practical questions. On the one hand, we have the possibility of preserving life, potentially indefinitely. On the other hand, there is the undeniable fact of human mortality. Marcus Aurelius, a famous Stoic philosopher, reminds us in his Meditations, "Do not act as if thou were going to live 10,000 years. Death hangs over thee while thou livest."
This concept of remembering our own mortality, or "memento mori," is intended to keep us focused on the work we want to accomplish and the changes we want to bring about in the world. It is a reminder to constantly assess how we are spending our time and to question whether or not our current activities are the best use of our limited time on earth.
The Science of Cryonics
Cryonics is based on the idea that death is not a one-time event, but rather a process that can be halted and potentially reversed with future technology. The preservation process begins with a person being declared legally dead, at which point their body is rapidly cooled to temperatures below -196°C. This is done to prevent the body from decomposing and to preserve the brain's structure.
The body is then placed in a cryogenic container filled with liquid nitrogen, where it will remain until the day when science has advanced enough to revive the person. It is important to note that cryonics is not a form of life support, as the person is still considered dead and there is currently no way to revive them. The cryonics process is not reversible, once a person is cryopreserved, there is no going back for now.
The Ethics of Cryonics
The practice of cryonics raises many ethical questions, but it can also be seen as a positive and responsible approach to death and the preservation of human life. Cryonics can be considered as an extension of organ donation, where the entire body is being donated to science with the hope of future revival.
From an autonomy point of view, cryonics allows individuals to make an informed choice about their death and what happens to their bodies after death. It also allows them to have a say in the preservation of their consciousness and identity, an important aspect of self-determination.
Moreover, cryonics can be seen as a way to alleviate the emotional pain of losing loved ones and to provide a sense of continuity and connection to future generations. It can also be seen as a way to honor the wishes of the deceased, who may have wanted to be cryopreserved.
Overall, it can also be seen as a responsible and positive approach to death and the preservation of human life. It allows individuals to make informed choices about their own death, it can be seen as a responsible use of resources and it can provide a sense of continuity and connection to future generations.
Cryonics and Stoicism
The Stoic philosophy of "memento mori" reminds us to constantly assess how we spend our time and question whether our current activities are the best use of our limited time on earth. The question of whether cryonics aligns with the Stoic philosophy of memento mori is a complex one, but it can be argued that cryonics is in fact, aligned with Stoic philosophy.
From a Stoic perspective, cryonics can be seen as a way to make the most of our limited time on earth by preserving the possibility of future life. The Stoics believed in the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of our time. Cryonics can be seen as a way to extend our time on earth and make the most of our limited time by preserving the possibility of future life.
The Stoics believed in the importance of living a virtuous life and working towards the betterment of society, and they also believed in the acceptance of death as a natural part of life. Making a parallel, cryonics can be seen as a way to contribute to the betterment of society by potentially making medical advancements available to patients cryopreserved. Human cryopreservation can be seen also as a way to accept death and make the most of our limited time on earth by preserving the possibility of future life, while also working towards the continuation of life. Memento mori: remember that you are going to die.
Conclusion
In summary, cryonics is a complex and controversial topic that can also be seen as a positive and responsible approach to death and the preservation of human life. Cryonics allows individuals to make an informed choice about their own death and what happens to their body afterwards, it is a responsible use of resources and can provide a sense of continuity and connection to future generations.
The Stoic maxim of "memento mori" reminds us to constantly assess how we spend our time and question whether or not our current activities are the best use of our most limited resource. Cryonics aligns with this philosophy as it allows individuals to reflect how to make the most of their limited time on earth, by preserving the possibility to extend their lives.
It's important to note that cryonics is still a developing field and there are still many unknowns and uncertainties. However, the idea of cryonics has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about death and the preservation of human life. It's a responsible and ethical approach that aligns with Stoic philosophy and offers the possibility of preserving life, potentially indefinitely.
To conclude, while cryonics raises ethical and practical questions, it also offers a positive and responsible approach to death and the preservation of human life. It is an important concept to consider, especially for those who wish to make the most of their time.
