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Immortality: The Quest To Live Forever And How It Drives Civilization (2012)

by Stephen Cave(Favorite Author)

3.85 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0307884910 (ISBN13: 9780307884916)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Crown

review 1: Wide scope, difficult subject matter, and proper treatment. The author has a Ph.D in philosophy from Cambridge, and his work ethic in research shows. He examines four popular myths of immortality (not dying, resurrection, the existence of a soul, legacy through works or children) and dissects each in a respectful but logical way, against a thorough background of sociology, history of religion, and philosophy. Each chapter is better than the one before, leading to an exciting conclusion. The last few are impossible to read without taking pause to reflect. It's hard to summarize this book without giving away the good stuff that he builds up to. In short, he provides a rational but surprising way to view the mortal coil we're all shuffling down.
review 2: It... more is a well-rounded exploration and analysis of the definitiveness of mortality and the concept of immortality, as they become manifest in their relationship with narratives, science, religions etc. My one problem with the book was that though the "mortality paradox" is plausible and comprehensible, I'm not sure about what comes with the second stage. Human beings indeed cannot conceive of their own non-existence but I need a more convincing argument regarding that direct link between inconceivability and impossibility. less

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