Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
08:46
Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model
Published on: September 29, 2011
Zeno's Paradox of Immortality
S Jay Olshansky1, Bruce A Carnes
1Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sjayo@uic.edu
Gerontology
|August 22, 2012
Summary
Human longevity research explores radical life extension and immortality. This study examines the reasoning behind these claims, linking them to Zeno
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biogerontology
- Mathematical Philosophy
Background:
- Diverse scientific perspectives exist on future human longevity, from immortality to declining life expectancy.
- Some researchers argue radical life extension is imminent or already achieved, with reasoning mirroring ancient paradoxes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To scrutinize the assumptions underpinning claims of significantly extended human lifespans.
- To contextualize these longevity arguments within a newly defined paradox: The Paradox of Immortality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of scientific discourse on human longevity and life extension.
- Comparative examination of reasoning in longevity predictions and Zeno's paradoxes.
- Conceptual development of 'The Paradox of Immortality'.
Main Results:
- Identified significant parallels between contemporary longevity arguments and Zeno's paradoxes.
- Revealed underlying assumptions in radical life extension claims that warrant critical evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The pursuit of radical life extension and immortality may share logical structures with ancient mathematical paradoxes.
- Further examination of 'The Paradox of Immortality' is needed to understand the feasibility of extreme longevity.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Personal Identity
Personal identity is the deeply felt sense of self that individuals cultivate over time, intricately woven from intrinsic qualities they consider essential to their existence—qualities such as morality, intelligence, and friendliness. These attributes serve as vital internal benchmarks, guiding individuals in evaluating whether their actions resonate with their true selves.When personal identity takes center stage in one's life, individuals often emphasize their distinctiveness, highlighting...
01:24Limits at Infinity
The function that decreases as the input becomes very large provides a clear example of how mathematical functions can behave at extreme values. When the input increases continuously, the output becomes smaller and smaller, getting closer to a particular fixed value. Although the output never actually reaches this value, it moves nearer to it without limit. This behavior is a fundamental concept in understanding how functions behave as the input grows indefinitely. The graphical representation...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
01:37Mitochondria
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
01:14The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
Systems in mechanical equilibrium exert equal pressure on the separating wall. Similarly, systems in thermal equilibrium share a common thermodynamic property: temperature.Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles within a system. More generally, it reflects the internal energy state of the system. The higher the temperature, the more energy a system has, given that other variables, such as volume and pressure, remain constant. However, temperature is not a form of...