Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thoughts on living

This is a very difficult question when you stop to think about it. I believe that theologians, scientists, and philosophers can view the aspect of "living" differently. Scientists give a great definition in determining what is alive or what constitutes life, in regards to living creatures surviving and adapting. Whereas theologians and philosophers discuss the process of life and the decisions that come with "living". I know that I am alive because of my senses. I can taste, smell, hear, see, and feel what is around me. I breathe in and out, and when I am quiet.... I can hear my heart beat softly. I react to my environment and continue to grow. Which must mean I alive right? Whoa, now the question gets deeper. Overall, I think science and biology give a great definition as to what constitutes what the term "living" is, but the definition of being alive will vary from person to person.
When I was researching this on the web for other peoples thoughts, I found definitions that state the ability to remember signifies that you are living. However, what about the people with dementia?? It would be hard argument to win, to say that someone without memory is not alive. Anyways, these are some of my thoughts on the topic. What about your thoughts?

6 comments:

  1. I believe that feeling, tasting, smelling, hearing, and seeing is a big part of being alive, not only do these things make you alive, but your ablity to survive and adapt to changes in the environment and everything around you is also what makes you alive. Thanks for sharing your input on what you think makes us alive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think just breathing makes someone physically alive. Of course our senses help us adapt to changes in our environment and help us survive but for example if someone is in the hospital dying they are still considered alive if they are breathing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with what you are saying Becky. You made a good point about people with Dementia or any bodily limitation. Someone on life support is technically alive, and so isn't someone who stopped breathing and has to be given CPR, but many cultures and prefessionals for example, believe that a person is more than just a body...Then what constitutes life? Good point!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What about brain dead people? Is that life? There was a chicken that lived for 2 years after its owner cut off its head completely (no joke). It just was fed and watered through its exposed esophagus. Gotta wonder if that is what we call life...nice posts, by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with what you are saying. I do however feel that people with Dementia are still able to experience life, just in a different way. They wake up every morning and sometimes they remember who they are and sometimes they don't. In a way I think they might be able to shed a whole new light on life because they get to wake up and simple things in life are suddenly new to them again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with you Rebecca, I believe that our senses play a role in confirming that we are alive. The scientific definition of "living" tends to include much more than being aware of ones surroundings. I thought it was interesting that our book states that living things from fungi to humans all have the "universal genetic language of DNA" in common.

    ReplyDelete