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Running from Death #6: Challenging Famous Atheists on Death

G. Stolyarov II
beliefsargumentsatheismatheistsdeatheternalextensionfallaciesfinitefreedomainideasimmortalityindefinitelongevitymolyneuxmortalitymotivationphilosophyprogressqualiasoupreligionsciencestefanstefbottechnologytheramintreesthunderfoot

Mr. G. Stolyarov II, a strong atheist, strongly disagrees with certain famous atheists, such as Stefan Molyneux (stefbot), Thunderf00t, QualiaSoup, and TheraminTrees, who have made arguments in favor of human mortality.

The pro-mortality atheists essentially make three claims: (1) that indefinite life is a religious fantasy, (2) that the sense of urgency that mortality brings about is the sole motivator for people, and (3) that the destruction of old life is necessary to make way for new life.

Mr. Stolyarov refutes all three of these arguments and contends that the pro-mortality position of these atheists means that they still have a way to go toward genuine, profound intellectual radicalism.

IMPORTANT CORRECTION: Note that Sam Harris does NOT express pro-mortality views. I have discovered that he has actually donated to the Methuselah Foundation's life-extension efforts and is one of "The 300" group of donors who have pledged the most financial support. See the following pages:

Another quote from Sam Harris: "Many readers might wonder how can we base our values on something as difficult to define as 'well-being'? It seems to me, however, that the concept of well-being is like the concept of physical health: it resists precise definition, and yet it is indispensable. In fact, the meanings of both terms seem likely to remain perpetually open to revision as we make progress in science. Today, a person can consider himself physically healthy if he is free of detectable disease, able to exercise, and destined to live into his eighties without suffering obvious decrepitude. But this standard may change. If the biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey is correct in viewing aging as an engineering problem that admits of a full solution, being able to walk a mile on your hundredth birthday will not always constitute 'health.' There may come a time when when not being able to run a marathon at age five hundred will be considered a profound disability. Such a radical transformation of our view of human health would not suggest that current notions of health and sickness are arbitrary, merely subjective, or culturally construed. Indeed, the difference between a healthy person and a dead one is about as clear and consequential a distinction as we ever make in science." ~ Sam Harris, "The Moral Landscape"

DISCLAIMER: Not all of the individuals named in this broadcast necessarily espouse all of the views discussed herein, and there exist variations among these individuals with regard to their views on death. This broadcast identifies and responds to general arguments in the author's experience but may not fully address a given thinker's position. In late June 2011, quotations will provided in the annotations to this video. When they appear, they should be examined to distinguish individual viewpoints.

"Running from Death" is a unique program in which Mr. Stolyarov speaks on topics related to indefinite life extension while himself working to improve his health by running on an elliptical trainer.

This is a listener-supported program. While all audio broadcasts are available free of charge, donations are welcome and appreciated.

To donate as well as to download free MP3 files of "Running from Death" programs, go to http://rationalargumentator.com/runningfromdeath.html

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2022-11-20
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