COMMENTS:
No one is ever flawless, even under the conditions you propose - and the flaws in a diamond are a lot different than the flaws in a human being. And by whose standards of perfection are we judging from - a human, or another similar creature?
...Or would your vices become more and more pronounced over time, your tastes more and more jaded, your perversions worse and worse, all out of boredom and ennui with life? Also, if you *knew* you could never die or be killed, would it rob you of all idea of moral consequences, so that you'd behave however you wished? Sure, they could imprison you, but, eventually, in a few decades or centuries, the government that imprisoned you, as all do, would collapse. Then, you'd walk free again, so you'd merely need to exercise patience.
I think an infinite mortal life would cause some people to become complete monsters.
Eventually, I probably would become a complete monster (that's just the type of guy I am). But after humanity died away and the sun swallowed up the earth, I would float through space bored as hell, praying for the sweet release of death.
*chuckle* I would be soooooo insane.
I third the monstrous consequence...look at me after only 25 years.
P.S. Felix, put it up there! I don't want to take credit for your entry!
Magdalena:
No problem at all, handshake returned. I'm glad to meet another cynic.
yes, i agree with felix too
Felix raises an excellent point; but what if you lived long enough to consider morality as a primitive way of quantifying abstract ideas? That would put you BEYOND it.
Applerod:
Hmmm, have you ever read "The Immortals" by Jorge Borges?
You would go through cycles. Certain things might be perfected, as for example, you played hacky sack everyday, it would be safe to say you would probably be the best hackysack player in the world. After a while of course. But you wouldn't be a perfect being. Since you're human you will still make mistakes constantly, and it really depends on what your definition of perfect is. Though it would be a safe bet that you would be the wisest person in the world.
by Huff on Sat Jul 17, 04 6:17pm
[+]
No felix, I haven't. Is that a good one, and why did you bring it up?
I generally agree with Huff that you would be the wisest person ever.
In the story, "The Immortal" (title transcribed slightly wrong by me earlier), Borges writes of a narrator who wanders into a lost and strange city inhabited by filthy subhuman savages he calls "Troglodytes." It turns out that they're all immortal--one is even the Greek Homer. It turns out that it's death and, more importantly the awareness of death, that gives humanity intellectual structure and meaning. Without this, the Troglodytes sort of retreat into a world of pure thought, where all acts are just like all previous acts. It's a great story, originally found in the short story collection THE ALEPH by Borges. Actually, much of the work of Borges is worth seeking out, I think...
What a fascinating concept. This guy, Borges, sounds pretty cool. I won't forget his name.
Yea, I mean if there is no death - then what is the meaning or purpose of life?
This is what Mormoms believe.
Perfect? Probably not, but you would eventually release the power of your mind and learn to travel though time, space and parallel universe.
What the fuck are you talking about, Knight?
And believe it or not, I always thought mormoms choose Jiff over the other leading peanut butter brand.
You might become perfect according to your definition of perfection, but probably not to other people's.
If I were immortal, I might actually be motivated to do things I want to do. As a mortal, I know I'm going to die, so I don't really care if I do anything. If I knew I could live forever, I might take action sooner or later. But I would still spend most of the time standing or sitting around by myself. I doubt that I would become significantly more amoral or immoral than I already am (which is already quite a lot) because many immoral activities are unpleasant, tedious, or just not on my to-do list.
Actually, I highly doubt I would become more of a monster if I lived forever. If I knew for sure that I would inevitably die, I would be more likely to commit crimes. Execution would only be accomplishing the inevitable.
|
