Against Immortality | Stephen Cave

Brain in a Vat

Stephen Cave unpacks the ethical and practical problems of living forever. He highlights ongoing research in anti-aging and the potential societal and ecological catastrophes that could follow if humans were to achieve immortality.

Stephen weighs the individual’s desire for immortality against social implications, and the potential exacerbation of social injustices. The discussion also addresses technological possibilities like consciousness uploading and the philosophical implications of personal identity, memory, and morality.

The conversation navigates the complexities of life extension technologies, questioning the nature of what it means to live a meaningful life.

00:00 Welcome to the Immortality Debate

00:27 Exploring the Possibility of Living Forever

01:57 The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality

05:03 Addressing Overpopulation and Societal Collapse

07:26 The Underpopulation Counterargument

09:09 The Philosophical and Practical Aspects of Life Extension

11:23 Space Colonization: A Feasible Solution?

13:01 The Ethical Quandary of Life Extension Pills

19:04 Addressing Social Justice in the Context of Immortality

24:30 The Boredom Argument Against Immortality

28:08 Exploring the Infinite Possibilities of AI and Immortality

28:26 The Philosophical Dilemma of Immortality and Ennui

30:26 Considering the Ethics and Legality of Suicide

31:12 The Rationality of Suicide in an Immortal Life

32:44 The Sorites Paradox and Life Extension

34:02 The Practical Challenges of Life Extension Policies

34:58 Dystopian Scenarios in Immortality and Central Planning

37:27 The Concept of Personal Identity and Immortality

40:38 Consciousness Uploading: A Dystopian Idea?

45:23 Personal Identity, Memory, and Augmentation

49:01 The Philosophical Exploration of Ennui and Meaninglessness

53:00 Immortality in Mythology and the Quest for Novel Experiences

54:58 Reimagining Immortality and Embracing Finitude