Qin Shi Huang’s feverfew and the alchemist’s pursuit of the elixir of life illustrate human fear of death. While advances in science and technology may make eternal life a reality, it may also cause us to lose the meaning and happiness of life. It is important to accept death, cultivate virtue in our finite lives, and pursue happiness.
It is famous that Qin Shi Huang instructed his men to search for the elixir of life in order to seek eternal life, or that he tried to create an elixir of life through alchemy. It is undeniable that there is a universal fear of death in human beings. Our science and technology is developing at a rapid pace, and we may not be far off from a future where eternal life is a reality. In particular, recent researchers have studied the genes of nematodes and discovered and manipulated genes associated with longevity, which have dramatically increased the lifespan of nematodes. This gene is shared not only by nematodes but also by humans, and it is expected to be commercialized within a few decades. In addition, research on eternal life is underway in many other fields, including molecular biology, neuroscience, and nanotechnology. However, even if we evolve into an immortalized human race through science and technology, can we say that it will be a condition for a happy life? On the contrary, it may make us unhappy.
To understand the long-standing human longing for eternal life, it is helpful to look at similar cases in history. In addition to Qin Shi Huang, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt dreamed of eternal life by building the pyramids, and alchemists in medieval Europe sought to create gold and find the secret of immortality. These are all examples of human attempts to overcome death. The fear of death and the longing for eternal life have been universal in different times and cultures. How do we view this issue today? Is it still possible to expect that the development of science and technology will make eternal life possible?
To answer this question, we first need to consider what happiness is and the meaning of death. In chapter 19 of Yuval Harari’s ‘ Sapiens,’ he cites Buddhist teachings to explain that happiness is not just a fleeting emotion, but a state of equanimity. It is only through meditation that one can contemplate one’s inner self and detach oneself from any fleeting emotions, he explains, that one can achieve a truly bright and relaxed mind. According to Aristotle’s ‘ Nicomachean Ethics, happiness is the ultimate end, the highest good, and at the same time a self-sufficient good and end. To attain happiness, a virtuous lifestyle is necessary, and it comes from the excellence of the human faculties. This virtue requires an attitude of moderation. Aristotle also suggests that it can be achieved through action and contemplation. While he argues that contemplation is the method and attitude to pursue happiness by intellectual virtue, the highest virtue, Aristotle does not neglect the issue of action. Aristotle does not neglect the issue of practice, but rather suggests that practice is a means to contemplation, and that we should have a contemplative attitude toward life through practice, not practice through contemplation.
Regarding the meaning of death, I have the following thoughts. If you forget about death, you forget about the finite meaning of time, and eventually you forget about the meaning of a properly existing life. But if we are aware of death, we are aware of the finite meaning of time, and we realize the meaning of a truly existent life. I think this phrase sums up the problem with eternal life. Because time is infinite, we forget the importance of time. Korean engineering students have a lot of assignments. If you tell them to turn it in by tomorrow, they will do it anyway. However, if you ask them to turn it in a month from now, can they really spend their time meaningfully without procrastinating? Living a life of infinite time can be analogized to this. We lose the purposefulness of life, and we lose the constant endeavor to reach the middle ground for a virtuous way of life. An eternal life without purpose prevents us from adopting the posture of contemplation through moderation or practice, and from desiring or pursuing the original values, namely virtue. Therefore, an infinite life can never lead us to happiness. We can only live a happy life if we recognize that we have a finite amount of time and constantly strive to live within that time. We can also think about it from a different perspective. In physics, time is also called the standard of standards. This means that it defines matter before any other component. In the same way, time can be an important criterion that defines our existence. If we were to live an infinite life, wouldn’t this aspect of time lose its meaning and we, who are defined by time, be denied our essence? A life that is not essential and non-existent can never be said to be happy.
Looking at another aspect of death, it makes us realize the finiteness of life and makes us cherish the present even more. The Latin phrase “Memento Mori” means “remember death,” reminding us that we will one day die and encouraging us to live meaningfully in the here and now. It suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather an important element that enriches our lives. So instead of seeking eternal life, we should embrace death and work toward making our current lives more meaningful.
So, what kind of attitude should we have towards death in order to lead a happy life? First, we should recognize that death will come to everyone, so we should perceive it with thought and insight. In London, England, there is a place called ‘Death Café’. It is a place where people can learn about the meaning of death by sharing and discussing it openly. We should also strive to live our original lives. If we recognize death and try to live an original and virtuous life during our finite time, we will surely reach happiness.
Eternal life can never be the highest good or the highest purpose of life. Let us not follow the example of Qin Shi Huang, whose pursuit of eternal life was cut short by mercury poisoning. Instead of wasting the time we have now because of anxiety about death, let us realize the value of death and strive to achieve happiness by cultivating virtue in the finite time we have. Let us value life and live our original lives, but be able to accept death.
