There are other key reasons that also lead people to become unaccepting of death, one of which being advancements in modern medicine and science. As mentioned above, common illnesses and diseases such as pneumonia, that once proved to be fatal for many, no longer play a large risk due to modern medicine. People today are not as quick to die from illnesses as they once were, instead there are cures available, or at least treatments that can hold off death for a number of years. This results in people believing that they can run from death. Another reason is palliative care and the ongoing debate on the ethics of euthanasia. People who are terminally ill or otherwise suffering from a painful or incurable disease that can affect their ability
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As mentioned above, certain aspects surrounding death, such as, the publicity and viewing of death, rejection of euthanasia, and advancements in modern science and medicine, have strengthened the quest for immortality within recent years. This quest has been around for centuries since the Ancient Greeks and Romans, with myths such as vampires or zombies, being passed down as common folk stories (Pecchinenda, 2007, pp.173). However, today whilst it is still not achievable, many believe immortality is something humans could be capable within the next few generations (however the belief in vampires or zombies existing has not become mainstream) (Laszlo, 2014, pp.343). One of the main reasons for this is due to advancements in modern medicine and science. Since the Victorian Era there have been a number of breakthrough developments, not only regarding medicine and cures or vaccinations for once thought to be incurable diseases, such as scarlet fever or smallpox, yet also within science, with things once thought to be a part of fiction, such as robots, now quite a common thing within, specifically Western and high socioeconomic societies. Advancements such as these, have caused people to become far less sceptical, and instead believe anything is possible; however, this does not specifically cause people to believe in the possibility of immortality within the …show more content…
Firstly, the ways of dying have significantly changed, as people are no longer dying from common illnesses such as pneumonia or smallpox, for which there are now vaccines and treatments available to prevent this. Instead new forms have taken place, including cardiovascular disease and suicide, and the ways of dying now rely on socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, the organisation of death now differs greatly. Wills and testaments are now handled through lawyers instead of the relatives of the deceased; cremation is also becoming a far more appealing choice over burial. Finally, these differences, as well as the debate against euthanasia, the no longer publicising of death and taboo on it, and the advancements in modern medicine, have all led to an increase in the idea that death is avoidable; and as such has further increased the quest for immortality. This in turn has made people far less mentally prepared for death today than they were during the Victorian
As mentioned above, certain aspects surrounding death, such as, the publicity and viewing of death, rejection of euthanasia, and advancements in modern science and medicine, have strengthened the quest for immortality within recent years. This quest has been around for centuries since the Ancient Greeks and Romans, with myths such as vampires or zombies, being passed down as common folk stories (Pecchinenda, 2007, pp.173). However, today whilst it is still not achievable, many believe immortality is something humans could be capable within the next few generations (however the belief in vampires or zombies existing has not become mainstream) (Laszlo, 2014, pp.343). One of the main reasons for this is due to advancements in modern medicine and science. Since the Victorian Era there have been a number of breakthrough developments, not only regarding medicine and cures or vaccinations for once thought to be incurable diseases, such as scarlet fever or smallpox, yet also within science, with things once thought to be a part of fiction, such as robots, now quite a common thing within, specifically Western and high socioeconomic societies. Advancements such as these, have caused people to become far less sceptical, and instead believe anything is possible; however, this does not specifically cause people to believe in the possibility of immortality within the …show more content…
Firstly, the ways of dying have significantly changed, as people are no longer dying from common illnesses such as pneumonia or smallpox, for which there are now vaccines and treatments available to prevent this. Instead new forms have taken place, including cardiovascular disease and suicide, and the ways of dying now rely on socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, the organisation of death now differs greatly. Wills and testaments are now handled through lawyers instead of the relatives of the deceased; cremation is also becoming a far more appealing choice over burial. Finally, these differences, as well as the debate against euthanasia, the no longer publicising of death and taboo on it, and the advancements in modern medicine, have all led to an increase in the idea that death is avoidable; and as such has further increased the quest for immortality. This in turn has made people far less mentally prepared for death today than they were during the Victorian