Why would someone want to live forever? Bernard Williams, a philosopher and an author wrote the essay titled “The Makropulos Case: Reflection on the Tedium of Immortality”. In his essay he discusses how death is not necessarily evil, like some people think. In order to structure his argument, he includes both Epicurus’ and Lucretuis point of view that humans overthink the state of being dead. He agrees with both philosophers that being dead isn’t bad, but Williams believes that Lucretuis is somewhat contradicting himself because Lucretuis cares about experience, but is saying that living a shorter life is better than living a longer life when it should be the other way around. Williams also talks about categorical desires, which are things a person can succeed. For example: writing a novel, finishing a project, etc.
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Williams then introduces a scenario, which is the following: Ellian Macgregor (EM) “tried out an elixir of life”, in which she lived 342 years but biologically speaking she’s really not that age (Benatar, 346). Lastly, he comes up with the following three solutions to solve EM problem which are: (1) Serial, psychologically disjointed lives. (2) Radical change, and (3) engrossing activity. Williams then realizes that these “solutions” aren’t really solutions because they don’t help EM’s situation. His conclusion is that being dead isn’t bad for a person, but living for eternity doesn’t benefit the person so immortality is more bad then good. According to my understandings and examining the text written by Williams and considering the other essays that are about the same subject. I came to the conclusion that I agree with Williams. I agree that taking the elixir is somewhat pointless because: (1) Taking the elixir won’t stop death from happening. (2) Being dead isn’t bad for anybody. (3) Living for eternity is boring, and (4) you’ll outlive your loved ones and will have to start all over
Williams then introduces a scenario, which is the following: Ellian Macgregor (EM) “tried out an elixir of life”, in which she lived 342 years but biologically speaking she’s really not that age (Benatar, 346). Lastly, he comes up with the following three solutions to solve EM problem which are: (1) Serial, psychologically disjointed lives. (2) Radical change, and (3) engrossing activity. Williams then realizes that these “solutions” aren’t really solutions because they don’t help EM’s situation. His conclusion is that being dead isn’t bad for a person, but living for eternity doesn’t benefit the person so immortality is more bad then good. According to my understandings and examining the text written by Williams and considering the other essays that are about the same subject. I came to the conclusion that I agree with Williams. I agree that taking the elixir is somewhat pointless because: (1) Taking the elixir won’t stop death from happening. (2) Being dead isn’t bad for anybody. (3) Living for eternity is boring, and (4) you’ll outlive your loved ones and will have to start all over