In the recent discussion of immortality in the essays, “Reflections on the Tedium of Immortality” by Bernard Williams and “Why Immortality is Not So Bad” by John Fischer , a controversial issue has been whether having eternal life is worth it. On the one hand, some people like John Fischer argue that having immortal life is not as unappealing as some might think. From this perspective, it is easy to see the positives, like being able to accomplish everything you have ever wanted to do. On the other hand, however, others argue that having immortality would be a curse rather than a blessing. In the words of Williams, one of this view’s main proponents, “Her problem lay in having been at it for too long. Her trouble was it seems, boredom…” (352).
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However, I do lean towards Williams argument that immortality is not worth it because, eventually, all of my family and friends would die and I would be all alone, assuming I was the only one who had immortality. Although, in a different scenario, one which I do not have family I would find immortality appealing to a certain extent. Unfortunately, for us, everyday life is pretty boring for the most part. People fall into monotonous routines and dread it. There are the occasional moments of happiness and joy, but mostly boredom. Williams himself writes, “That, at least, is a form of isolation which would disappear if her condition were generalized. But to suppose more generally that boredom and inner death would be eliminated… is an empty hope” (352). In other words, William’s is saying if everyone were immortal some of the problems like isolation would disappear, but in the long run boredom will still rule over …show more content…
No one truly wants to be lonely, some people might enjoy being alone for a time but at the end of the day they want the company of others. In the Radio Lab episode, “Mortality,” they mention the story of a man named Isiah who would photograph people near death. He was with his grandfather towards the end of his life. After his grandfather past he learned a valuable lesson, “When a person is dying it is very important that they are surrounded, they are surrounded by the light of life and you don 't go in the place of oblivion alone”. Everyone wants people they can share there lives with. Nobody wants to leave this world alone, we all want to be surrounded by the one’s we love. If one had Immortality they would never truly be able to experience this for
However, I do lean towards Williams argument that immortality is not worth it because, eventually, all of my family and friends would die and I would be all alone, assuming I was the only one who had immortality. Although, in a different scenario, one which I do not have family I would find immortality appealing to a certain extent. Unfortunately, for us, everyday life is pretty boring for the most part. People fall into monotonous routines and dread it. There are the occasional moments of happiness and joy, but mostly boredom. Williams himself writes, “That, at least, is a form of isolation which would disappear if her condition were generalized. But to suppose more generally that boredom and inner death would be eliminated… is an empty hope” (352). In other words, William’s is saying if everyone were immortal some of the problems like isolation would disappear, but in the long run boredom will still rule over …show more content…
No one truly wants to be lonely, some people might enjoy being alone for a time but at the end of the day they want the company of others. In the Radio Lab episode, “Mortality,” they mention the story of a man named Isiah who would photograph people near death. He was with his grandfather towards the end of his life. After his grandfather past he learned a valuable lesson, “When a person is dying it is very important that they are surrounded, they are surrounded by the light of life and you don 't go in the place of oblivion alone”. Everyone wants people they can share there lives with. Nobody wants to leave this world alone, we all want to be surrounded by the one’s we love. If one had Immortality they would never truly be able to experience this for