Book review: The Death of Death by Dr. José Luis Cordeiro
In "The Death of Death: The Scientific Possibility of Physical Immortality and its Moral Defense," Dr. José Luis Cordeiro presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking proposal for extending human life indefinitely through scientific advancement.
Dr. Cordeiro is a renowned futurist and transhumanist who has dedicated his career to exploring the possibilities of technology and its impact on human society. He holds degrees in engineering, economics, and public policy, among these a Ph.D. in science and technology from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned his doctorate in the field of energy, environment, and technological change, which has given him a deep understanding of the intersection between technology and society. Dr. Cordeiro has worked in academia, government, and the private sector, and is currently the vice president of Humanity+, an international nonprofit organization that advocates for the ethical use of technology to enhance human capacities and extend human life. Founded in 1998, Humanity+ brings together scientists, philosophers, and other thought leaders to explore the frontiers of human enhancement and promote a more positive future for humanity.
As a leading voice in the transhumanist movement, Dr. Cordeiro has written extensively on topics such as artificial intelligence, life extension, and the future of human society. His work challenges us to think critically about the impact of technology on our lives and to consider the possibilities of a world where human potential knows no bounds. Dr. Cordeiro argues that it is our duty as humans to work towards achieving physical immortality, and that doing so would be a monumental achievement for our species. This project draws on the historical background of philosophers such as Nikolai Fyodorov, who championed the idea of a "unified task of humanity" to work towards overcoming death and achieving immortality.
Dr. Cordeiro outlines the ways in which science and technology can be harnessed to overcome the limitations of the human body, from nanobots to gene editing to artificial organs. He also addresses the moral concerns that may arise from extending human life indefinitely, arguing that we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to these advancements and that they are used for the betterment of humanity as a whole. One of the key points that José Cordeiro makes in "The Death of Death" is that society is largely unaware of the significant progress that has been made in the field of life extension research. For example, few people know about the Methuselah mice, which have been genetically engineered to live up to 40% longer than normal mice. If this level of life extension could be achieved in humans, it would have a profound impact on society. It would mean that people could live longer, healthier lives, and have more time to pursue their passions and interests. It could also lead to a more mature society, as people would have more years to get an education and contribute to their communities.
Ultimately, the pursuit of life extension is one of the noblest goals to pursue, as it would allow us to fulfill our duty to work towards the betterment of humanity and the preservation of life. As an addition to this collective project, "The Death of Death" is a compelling and well-researched book that challenges the reader to rethink society’s current beliefs on aging, disease, and death. While the concept of physical immortality may seem far-fetched to some, Dr. Cordeiro makes a strong case for why it should be our common goal as a species.
By working towards this goal, we can not only extend our own lives but also create a brighter future for generations to come: find solutions to tackle the most pressing global health issues, collectively lay the foundation for a better life for all, and a chance of a future in peace and prosperity.
As part of AMSRO Spain (space medical organization) and the ongoing special call for papers on One Health and Open Technologies for the African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, we are now setting up an EU COST science and technology cooperation action proposal called COST (COST COST “Cooperation in Science and Technology - Common Objective of Space Technology”), to collectively focus on, as Nikolai Fyodorov put it, the Common Task of humanity.