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Deep philosophical question

#21
I think deep down most of us do fear death, and much of out activity in this earth during our span as carbon life forms is taken up with trying to forget or not think about this inevitable occurrence.

I personally don't believe in life after death, in any form except the molecules possibly being recycled in another life form at some point. But the entity of oneself does not live on, IMO.

I also superficially have no fear of dying but I'm sure on s deeper level there is a lot more going on in my attitude towards mortality.
 
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#22
Gorn said:
You're an ape too. Hate to break it to you.
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One little niggling thing. Humans are not apes and I think you know this. We are hominoids. We may share a lot of the same traits and a common ancestor but technically we are not apes. Except maybe my brother-in-law.
I have seen you suggest people were not informed and misunderstood science when they used the term apes. I'm guessing you are just using that term to simplify the conversation. But I know you don't like to be vague or fuzzy. :D
I know, I know, picky, picky, picky.
 
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#23
charlie monroe said:
I would think that the fear of death stems from the fear of being alone.

In life we surround ourselves with loved ones and are able to share our triumphs and struggles with them.

In death, we leave those that have provided that comfort behind.
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Those of us who spend our lives alone don't see things quite this way. :|
 
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#24
slobake said:
One little niggling thing. Humans are not apes and I think you know this. We are hominoids. We may share a lot of the same traits and a common ancestor but technically we are not apes. Except maybe my brother-in-law.
I have seen you suggest people were not informed and misunderstood science when they used the term apes. I'm guessing you are just using that term to simplify the conversation. But I know you don't like to be vague or fuzzy. :D
I know, I know, picky, picky, picky.
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It's a debate in taxonomy. Some biologists say we are and some say we aren't. Based on my research, I'm on team ape. We're hominids and apes. Great apes, actually. Later when I'm not on my iPhone I'll post some sources.
 
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#27
Gorn said:
It's a debate in taxonomy. Some biologists say we are and some say we aren't. Based on my research, I'm on team ape. We're hominids and apes. Great apes, actually. Later when I'm not on my iPhone I'll post some sources.
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I don't think we're really all that "great", as we seem bent on destroying the planet. Rather stupid, actually.
 
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#30
Fat Freddy said:
I'm, in truth, not particularly concerned about the concept of being dead....

My concern is with the manner of dying rather than not existing anymore....

Not in the least bit bothered about what happens after....
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Exactly. Being dead will be just what it was like before I was born. There's nothing scary about that. Dying painfully would suck. I'm scared of that.
 
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#32
Fat Freddy said:
I'm, in truth, not particularly concerned about the concept of being dead....

My concern is with the manner of dying rather than not existing anymore....

Not in the least bit bothered about what happens after....
Click to expand...

Everyone says that. But in reality many are concerned with what happens after because they have been conditioned from day one to believe that there are consequences after dying.

Can't say very much here because of forum rules though.

The desire for immortality of some kind is foremost as well. Many people spend their lives doing something to establish an immortal legacy et al.

The idea of living an insignificant life only to be forgotten in the backwaters of history is too much for some folks.
 
#33
Gorn said:
It's a debate in taxonomy. Some biologists say we are and some say we aren't. Based on my research, I'm on team ape. We're hominids and apes. Great apes, actually. Later when I'm not on my iPhone I'll post some sources.
Click to expand...
My apologies it was someone else that made the statement I referred to. Can you pass the bananas please? Oh, and does this mean it is okay for me to throw crap at people?
 
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#35
ZenG said:
Everyone says that. But in reality many are concerned with what happens after because they have been conditioned from day one to believe that there are consequences after dying.

Can't say very much here because of forum rules though.

The desire for immortality of some kind is foremost as well. Many people spend their lives doing something to establish an immortal legacy et al.

The idea of living an insignificant life only to be forgotten in the backwaters of history is too much for some folks.
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The only consequence of dying that I can think of is that I'd start to stink a bit if not cremated in time....

I'm perfectly happy to be forgotten after my perfectly insignificant little life....
 
#36
slobake said:
My apologies it was someone else that made the statement I referred to. Can you pass the bananas please? Oh, and does this mean it is okay for me to throw crap at people?
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Isn't throwing crap at people why we invented the internet? Just a fancier version of the same behavior.
 
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#37
ZenG said:
Define "potential for greatness".

What have we done ever that was so "great'?

We are a species of warring, killing predators exploiting the planet for profit and power. We actually kid ourselves that we are full of goodness and sweetness and morality.

We believe our own aggrandizing bullsh*t so that we don't have to deal with the reality of who we actually are.
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There's no short answer to that question and I don't want to derail the thread further. But I'm a secular humanist and I believe we have great potential for a future where our species comes together and abandons our pettiness and puts an end to bigotry, poverty and suffering and where we live to better ourselves and our understanding of the universe.

Basically, Star Trek. It's doable. Someday.
 
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