...Scientific advances in the biological and medical fields have prolonged the average human lifespan by many years since the past century. New medicine and vaccines have saved the lives of billions of people. Scientists now know more about the human body than ever before in the history of mankind. Currently, scientists and researchers are tackling an ever so ambitious project: human immortality. Immortality is not a new idea; people have thought about it for ages, but never has immortality been so close to our grasp. In The Odyssey, by Homer, the state of being immortal has been criticized and looked down upon. The immortal afterlife is shown to be very boring and meaningless, conveying the ancient Greek philosophy that humans should not pursue...
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...Immortality Where did immortality come from? Immortality is viewed differently in each culture. One of the earliest cultures that mention the words of immortality was during the Babylonia period, and they were scribed on stone tablets from The Epic of Gilgamesh. Another culture that mentions immortality in the early years of civilization was in India. When did the human culture first discover the meaning of immortality? The meaning of immortality means different for each culture that has lived before us. One culture that believes in immorality as reincarnation is Buddhism. Buddha believes in reincarnation because there are stories on how Bodhisatta lived and reborn in different forms “while striving towards enlightenment” (Cianfarani...
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...expands on the theme of immortality. The sonnet makes it clear that the individual’s beauty and vigor cannot be compared to commonplace nature and that the individual is something more than human. Sonnet 18 is part of the group of sonnets that is written to address men. In this particular one, Shakespeare compares the man’s beauty to that of nature, particularly a day in the summer. The first quatrain begins the extended metaphor by implying that the man being addressed has all the qualities of a summer’s day. This immediately associates the man with the sun and all of its qualities: he is strong, bright, and full of energy. However, by writing: “Though art more lovely and more temperate,” in line two, Shakespeare illustrates the fact that although the best thing nature has to offer, a summer’s day is far from perfect. The first shift happens in line three; the narrator stops talking about the man and begins pointing out the imperfections of summer. He employs vivid imagery to argue that summer’s beauty is hurt by “rough winds” and its “lease hath all too short a date,” (4). Shakespeare also adds that summer may sometimes be too hot, and other times its “gold complexion [is] dimm’d,” (5). This emphasizes the qualities of the man; he is not only more beautiful and serene than a summer’s day, but he is also untroubled by life’s obstacles, always stays perfect, and lasts longer than a day in summer. The last comparison is the first mention of immortality in the sonnet, but this...
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...Christianity are no different; between the two ideas there are many similarities and differences that can be distinguished. Plato believed in the idea of immortality and dualism. He believed that the soul was immortal both before and after death, and that the body was mortal and ceased to function after death. Plato believed that your soul has always existed and always will, and that your embodied life as a human is just a small part of your existence. Plato believed that the disembodied soul was the highest form of survival because the immaterial realm of the forms is the highest form of existence. In other words Plato suggests that your embodied existence is not nearly as ideal as your disembodied existence. The basis of Christianity is bodily resurrection. Like Plato’s theory Christianity also believes in the cessation of bodily functions after death, and also believes that the soul does exist for a time disembodied. However in Christianity the soul begins at birth and is not immortal, it dies with the body, and then is resurrected after an unknown period of time by God. Christianity suggests the theory that people follow the Christian Doctrine of Predestination. This is essentially the theory that humans cannot chose whether they will be saved to heaven and from hell. It is the idea that some humans are chosen by God as elect, and some humans are damned by God. In other words; a person can do nothing about their predestination. The idea of predestination is not contingent upon status...
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...Name: Thomson Levi’s Tutor: Dr. Francis Ochola Course: English Date: 23/10/2012 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a poor young woman goes to the clinic for a physician to examine a perceived knot on her womb. The lady has been under pain for one year and explained the matter to the cousins; however, they did nothing until the pain became severe. The local physician had executed tests on syphilis that was negative, and advised her to visit the area main hospital for further medication. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed at Johns Hopkins Hospital with cervical cancer. In chapter 3, there is a presentation of medical conceptualization and treatment of cervical cancer, and description of the treatment of Henrietta at Johns Hospital. Dr. TeLinde at the Johns Hopkins was a leader researcher in this field, and interested in the demonstration of the then debate claiming noninvasive cervical cancer was merely invasive cancer. Cells were taken from her in the course of that exam and used without her consent in order to build up the first immortal cell line. In telling the story, the author draws from personal interviews and primary sources to offer insightful narrative accounts of the childhood of Henrietta, adulthood, her diagnosis, the illness, and tragic death. Rebecca expounds the HeLa’s birth and life and shows changes on the research concerning the realm of medical research, leading to both medical and scientific breakthroughs; however, also...
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...The Strongest Support of the Soul ——Appreciation of the eternal artistry in Ode on a Grecian Urn and Sailing to Byzantine Abstract: From the romantic poet John Keats to symbolical poet W. B. Yeats, both of them were persistently searching the eternity in the long journey of life. This paper tries to through the analysis of the two poems, Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn and Yeats' Sailing to Byzantium to reveal the truth that the strongest support of the soul not lies in the empty and rapidly decayed body but relies on the eternal artistry which transcends the time and space. Although the former comes from the romantic imagination of an exquisite works of art---an ancient Grecian urn, the latter originates from the Byzantium which is the symbol of art, of eternity, both of them contain the similar life philosophy, that is the immortal life lies in the art of eternal. Key words: Ode on a Grecian Urn ; Sailing to Byzantium; eternal artistry; timeless Introduction Life is limited, yet it is possible to find the eternal life. Is it contradictory? How can life be limited as well as eternal at the same time? Could it be true that life has no ending? Actually, as we all know, no matter who you are, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, smart or mediocre, eventually you will die. However, there is one thing will never die, which is not belong to this dusty world.—that is the eternal artistry. It is true that the art will never die. Only...
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...or as a hopeless distraction. Dickinson portrays these contrasting views of death in her poems: “Because I could not stop for Death” and “I heard a Fly buzz- when I died.” Kreidler, Michele L. "Emily Dickinson "Because I Could Not Stop For Death." Literary Contexts In Poetry: Emily Dickinson's 'Because I Could Not Stop For Death' (2009): 1. Literary Reference Center. Web. 29 May 2014. Meyer, Michael. "The Study of Emily Dickinson." The compact Bedford introduction to literature: reading, thinking, writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. . Print Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” follows a woman’s passage from expiry into eternal life. The carriage that picks her up is a representation of immortality, while death is embodied as a gentleman that is taking a friend on a carriage ride. The driver “knew no haste” as they slowly drove. This personified version of death is kind and peaceful. As they continue on their trip, it is understood that death is a normal part of existence as they ride passed ordinary events of being; students playing, beautiful fields, and the setting sun. The conclusion of the poem is the speaker notes that since the coming of demise, centuries have passed and yet the experience of passing into perpetuity seemed fleeting. The voyage between death and eternity is explained as a calm and tranquil experience in this literary work. Nesmith, Christopher. "Dickinson's I HEARD A FLY BUZZ." Explicator 69.4 (2011):...
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...Dear Jake, I am writing you to explain Simmias analogy to Socrates in Phaedo. Socrates presents his third argument for the immortality of the soul, called Affinity Argument, where he shows that the soul most resembles that which is invisible and divine, and the body resembles that which is visible and mortal. From this, it is concluded that while the body may be seen to exist after death in the form of a corpse, as the body is mortal and the soul is divine, the soul must outlast the body. Simmias draws an extended comparison between a human being and a musical instrument, the lyre. In Simmias analogy he says, the body is visible, composite and mortal. A harp is visible composite and mortal. When the harp is destroyed, the tune which is ethereal, invisible and divine is also destroyed. The soul is like a tune it is ethereal, invisible and divine. If the body is destroyed the soul cannot survive. The argument I believe Simmias is making to Socrates is that nothing can exist prior to the things which it was created from. Simmias argument talks about the body being a lyre and the soul being the body and the harmony being the soul. With this in mind he explains that if the lyre rots then the harmony must also change. In the same way if the body is ravaged by disease then the soul must also be destroyed. The question I believe Simmias is attempting to ask is how can the soul exist before the body? Simmias argument is that the soul is a harmony dependent on the body. If the body is...
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...the question of personhood. Complete the following chart in the context of defining what it means to be human according to Christianity, Materialism, and your own Personal View. Refer to the assigned reading for explanation of characteristics listed on the left. | Christianity | Materialism | Personal View | Relational | The building block of the church, the community. | Relationships built off of materials for beneficence for someone. | I believe this is to be building a relationship with God and with those who will do you good. | Multidimensional | One believing or serving more than 1 God, believing in or seeing different dimensions such as the heavenly realms. | Humans are material objects because of their body parts (veins, blood, etc.). | I believe this is to be believing in multiple Gods. This is also how we act as a human which is important since we are seen as multidimensional. | Sexual | Part of human nature, not meant to be thought of as a defining human characteristic. | Modern attitude towards sexuality. | I believe this should wait until one is married but this is not realistic in today’s time. | Moral | One is aware they are were made in an Image of God and his application of laws come into effect such as different behaviors. | Society that excels in creativity. Values can only be mad made related to humans. | I believe this to be human rights, a description of obligations and what is right and wrong. | Mortal | A deadly sin. | Subject...
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...mysterious. The early teachers of the Daodejing seemed to pass things down that was difficult for ordinary minds to comprehend as a way to get people to analyze and understand the world around them. Meanings encrypted in different ways and metaphors constantly used seem to be a common characteristic between the early teachers. Although they were oddly written, all of the passages seemed to give a basic insight on the early teachers’ perspective of things. The Daodejing characterizes common human weakness and meant to effect the way people think or react. Early teachers believed that the truth about the “human mind” can only be sought from within. Outside influences and worldly thing will not guide you to understand yourself. Based on the Daodejing, the early teachers also believed that the understanding of self is given as a gift from nature not acquired knowledge that you just so happen to stumble upon. The text of the Daodejing offers a practical way of life and dismisses any ideas of human immortality. These passages were intended to restore peace and harmony to a world that the early teachers believed was in disarray. The text stresses the importance of learning to resolve things naturally and to restrain from unnatural reactions. The Daodejing was written to explore the natural meaning and value of life itself. Daoist Teachings I see the Daoist teachings as effortless kind of go with the flow beliefs. When I read of the teachings and research the ways of a Daoist, it seems similar...
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...Cavite State University - Carmona Campus Carmona, Cavite Book Review HUMN 6 Tuck Everlasting Natalie Babbit Romero, Maria Lourdes N. BS Business Management 4 Ms. Sherry Rose Luya February 2012 Table of Contents Page Sypnosis 3 Summary 3 The Most Favorite Part 4 5 Sentences/Phrases 4 The Things Learned from the Book 5 Recommendation 5 Sypnosis This story is a fantasy about a family named Tuck who accidentally stumble upon a spring in a wood, which has the ability to give eternal life. They don’t realize at first what they have drunk until they realize that their bodies are not aging and they cannot be hurt or harmed in any way. They travel quietly around the countryside; never staying in one place too long so that people will not realize their secret. Into this family comes Winnie Foster, a little girl in search of freedom. She learns their secret and falls in love with them so deeply that she will do anything to protect them. The family and Winnie then must face a villain who would steal their secret for himself. Summary A ten year old Winnie comes from a well-bred and strait-laced family who keep her safe behind a four-foot iron fence that surrounds their home. She lives a life of boredom and frustration. They are the oldest family in the town, and...
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...Anna Lin Exam 1 6/18/14 Socrates’ Courageousness Socrates should not be classified as a Sophist for many reasons. He did not take money from those whom he spoke to; sophists did not care if their conclusions were true, yet Socrates used his ways of dialectic to try to find the absolute truths and he tries to proof to people that the immortal soul exists that is why he does not fear death. Socrates tries to let people know that there is life after death by proving himself right; he is not afraid of death. For instance, “Socrates claims that the death is nothing more than the separation of the soul from the body and although some group of people denies it, the soul is immortal considering the cycle of life and death, the theory of recollection and the affinity argument” (Makaleler). Makaleler tells the audience that Socrates is so certain that the soul is immortal. He also says death is just the soul leaving the body, yet many people don’t believe what he says. People denies Socrates’ way of thinking is mainly because they are scared of changes, they fear the unknown of what exactly will happen to them when the soul leaves the body. This is a good example of why Socrates is not a sophist because if he was a sophist he would have collected money then tell people what they want to hear, as this quotes states people do not believe in him. Socrates is not trying to please anyone to get money, he is just stating what the divine voice had told him. Again, “The soul can be...
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...both works. Gilgamesh is blessed with a perfect body, beauty, and courage. “Two thirds they made him God and one third man” (Fiero 19). Job was blessed with flocks of animals, a large family, and protected land. Job is said to be “blameless and upright” (Fiero 34). Although blessed both men were pushed to their mental and physical limits to see what they were made of. “Job and Gilgamesh are tested by superhuman forces, and both come to realize that misfortune and suffering are typical of the human condition” (Fiero 37). Gilgamesh is tested when Ishtar, the Goddess of love, takes the life of his companion Enkidu for rejecting her affections for him. “Because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway for he has entered the assembly of the Gods” (Fiero 21). In result of his fear of death his worthiness for personal immortality is what’s tested. Gilgamesh embarks on his journey to conquer the test and obtain his goal of personal immortality. Job, on the other hand, is tested because his questionable fear of God. “But...
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...place that a person could ever go after they die. As everyone knows our beliefs are part of the good news of God. God wants us to love him freely, He loves us and wants to be loved in return. Love cannot be forced, it has to be given freely and hell represents the possibility of saying no to God finally. Hell is not God’s choice as much as it is ours. Hell is more about refusing life than suffering punishment, because God loves us even in his judging of us.[1] It has been said that hell is a spiritual and material furnace of fire where its victims are delicately tortured in their minds and in their bodies, by God, the devils, and damned humans including themselves. Harsh as it may seem, traditionalists see any challenge to this position as diminishing the glory of the divine judgment, taking away from the dignity of our immortality, and making hell less of a punishment than it actually is. Several critics to the traditional views to hell have come up with questions about the beliefs...
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...Yet the speaker, Tithonus, is cursed to live forever. Tithonus tells Aurora, goddess of the dawn, that he grows old slowly in her arms like a “white-hair’d shadow” roaming in the east. Tithonus laments that while he is now a “gray shadow” he was once a beautiful man chosen as Aurora’s lover. He remembers that he long ago asked Aurora to grant him eternal life: “Give me immortality!” Aurora granted his wish generously, like a rich philanthropist who has so much money that he gives charity without thinking twice. However, the Hours, the goddesses who accompany Aurora, were angry that Tithonus was able to resist death, so they took their revenge by battering him until he grew old and withered. Now, though he cannot die, he remains forever old; and he must dwell in the presence of Aurora, who renews herself each morning and is thus forever young. Tithonus appeals to Aurora to take back the gift of immortality while the “silver star” of Venus rises in the morning. He now realizes the ruin in desiring to be different from all the rest of mankind and in living beyond the “goal of ordinance,” the normal human lifespan. Just before the sun rises, Tithonus catches sight of the “dark world” where he was born a mortal. He witnesses the coming of Aurora, the dawn: her cheek begins to turn red and her eyes grow so bright that they overpower the light of the stars. Aurora’s team of horses awakes and converts the twilight into fire. The poet now addresses Aurora, telling her that she...
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