Should You Choose to Live Forever?: A Debate addresses a centuries old question in philosophy, but also one with increasing relevance as scientists now see the real possibility of extending people's lives for many hundreds of years.
This accessible yet profound debate from two leading researchers in the area, Stephen Cave and John Martin Fischer, offers:
Engaging philosophical discourse that brings abstract concepts to life through myth, literature, and thought experimentsBalanced perspectives with Cave arguing against immortality (citing problems of meaninglessness, overpopulation, social injustice, and boredom) and Fischer making the case for radical life extensionStructured format with clear chapter breakdowns, summaries, and a three-part debate format that models scholarly discourseContemporary relevance, connecting ancient philosophical questions to modern anti-aging research and technological developments
Instrcutors praise this book as the most accessible volume in the 'Little Debates' series, noting its ideal structure for introducing complex literature to newcomers while presenting the most current positions from both authors.
Perfect for courses in Philosophy of Death and Mortality, Ethics, Bioethics, Philosophy of Religion, Contemporary Philosophical Issues, and Introduction to Philosophy.
This accessible yet profound debate from two leading researchers in the area, Stephen Cave and John Martin Fischer, offers:
Engaging philosophical discourse that brings abstract concepts to life through myth, literature, and thought experimentsBalanced perspectives with Cave arguing against immortality (citing problems of meaninglessness, overpopulation, social injustice, and boredom) and Fischer making the case for radical life extensionStructured format with clear chapter breakdowns, summaries, and a three-part debate format that models scholarly discourseContemporary relevance, connecting ancient philosophical questions to modern anti-aging research and technological developments
Instrcutors praise this book as the most accessible volume in the 'Little Debates' series, noting its ideal structure for introducing complex literature to newcomers while presenting the most current positions from both authors.
Perfect for courses in Philosophy of Death and Mortality, Ethics, Bioethics, Philosophy of Religion, Contemporary Philosophical Issues, and Introduction to Philosophy.
"Should You Choose to Live Forever? is one of the newest entries in Routledge's excellent 'Little Debates about Big Questions' series, and it's the best one I've read. . . . it's so accessible and well-structured (each chapter has its own breakdown of contents and summary at the end). The book serves both as an ideal introduction to the literature for a layperson and as the most up-to-date version of Fischer's and Cave's positions. I highly recommend it for anyone working on or interested in philosophical issues related to immortality. As Cave and Fischer show, this includes (or should include) just about everyone." - Travis Timmerman, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"Scientists may eventually be able to extend some people's lives for many hundreds or even thousands of years. This book is a friendly argument between two eminent philosophers about whether this would be good or bad for those people. Even if none of us now will be fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be around to experience radical life extension, we can still benefit enormously from this debate's illuminating exchanges, conducted with wit and verve, about death, the meaning and value of life, the nature of well-being, the metaphysics of personal identity, and many other fascinating and fundamentally important topics." -- Jeff McMahan, University of Oxford
"This book will reward anyone interested in the question of whether there's reason to live forever. And let's be honest, that's all of us. Cave and Fischer offer up a timely debate on a timeless issue." -- Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Sam Houston State University
"Scientists may eventually be able to extend some people's lives for many hundreds or even thousands of years. This book is a friendly argument between two eminent philosophers about whether this would be good or bad for those people. Even if none of us now will be fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be around to experience radical life extension, we can still benefit enormously from this debate's illuminating exchanges, conducted with wit and verve, about death, the meaning and value of life, the nature of well-being, the metaphysics of personal identity, and many other fascinating and fundamentally important topics." -- Jeff McMahan, University of Oxford
"This book will reward anyone interested in the question of whether there's reason to live forever. And let's be honest, that's all of us. Cave and Fischer offer up a timely debate on a timeless issue." -- Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Sam Houston State University







