NationStates Jolt Archive

This question is directed at religious types, but everyone with an opinion is welcome to contribute.

What is "life" in the context of belief in an "afterlife"? In other words, what is it that is surpassed or transcended by being, or that we "move beyond," in order to arrive at a state of "afterlife"?

EDIT: "LOST" theories welcome, too.

I would have thought that the views of "religious types" that you seek would be readily available on wikipedia. However, as an agnostic, I remain convinced that an element of our being, for which the term "soul" might suffice, does endure beyond he death of the physical body, however, its existence is not influenced by our conduct when alive.

I would have thought that the views of "religious types" that you seek would be readily available on wikipedia. However, as an agnostic, I remain convinced that an element of our being, for which the term "soul" might suffice, does endure beyond he death of the physical body, however, its existence is not influenced by our conduct when alive.

As an agnostic, then, can I assume you use the word "element" non-literally? *grin*

If it is not influenced by our living existence, is it useful in any way?

Life is the term given to the orderly decay of energy states in organisms that are capable of reproducing and interacting with their environment. There's not really any magic spark there that makes them alive; they are chemical and electrical processes, machines really, that operate using organic chemistry. Of course, life can also take other forms, like silicon, or electricity, or ammonia, or many other compounds. No soul or spirit in there, just biochemical processes that can be understood and shaped. Quite liberating, actually.

Life is what we make of it.

I love how post #4 and #5 are complete opposites.

Knowing Chris's posts he probably used it entirely arbitrarily, like most of the other words ¬_¬

Anyway, Life is like World of Warcraft but without dragons or as much prettiness. And you probably only get one character. And there's permadeath.

Knowing Chris's posts he probably used it entirely arbitrarily, like most of the other words ¬_¬

Anyway, Life is like World of Warcraft but without dragons or as much prettiness. And you probably only get one character. And there's permadeath.

Nah. You just don't get to be resurrect as the same character.;)

i believe life is a continuous game(or war, struggle, match whatever), and you resurrect after a cycle of life, like a universal second (billions of years) and then you continue from where you left. like you have a score

What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

Life is an opportunity and a test of sorts. It is said that this life and this world is paradise for the unbeliever and a prison for the believers.

Life is an opportunity and a test of sorts. It is said that this life and this world is paradise for the unbeliever and a prison for the believers.

Do you believe that that's so?

what is life? what is the after life?

I don't care or as Buddhists say "I'll tell you when I get there"

Do you believe that that's so?

of course. This life is nothing compared to Jannah

of course. This life is nothing compared to Jannah

What is it, then, that is comparable between "this life" and "Jannah"?

Life is the term given to the orderly decay of energy states in organisms that are capable of reproducing and interacting with their environment. There's not really any magic spark there that makes them alive; they are chemical and electrical processes, machines really, that operate using organic chemistry. Of course, life can also take other forms, like silicon, or electricity, or ammonia, or many other compounds. No soul or spirit in there, just biochemical processes that can be understood and shaped. Quite liberating, actually.

Quoted for truth.
There is no God's master plan, the fact that we here is an accident, really.
Unless you mean *my* master plan, then sure, yes... it's all part of the plan.

Unless you mean *my* master plan, then sure, yes... it's all part of the plan.

Or my master plan, of course.

This question is directed at religious types, but everyone with an opinion is welcome to contribute.

What is "life" in the context of belief in an "afterlife"? In other words, what is it that is surpassed or transcended by being, or that we "move beyond," in order to arrive at a state of "afterlife"?

EDIT: "LOST" theories welcome, too.

I'd argue that life, real life, is any state of sentience. Hence, an artificial intelligence, if sentient, would be considered alive, something which I approve of.

I'd argue that life, real life, is any state of sentience. Hence, an artificial intelligence, if sentient, would be considered alive, something which I approve of.

Oh, absolutely. In reality, a sentient artificial intelligence is a living organism just like us. Both humans and artificial intelligences are machines manufactured by other humans; the only difference is the process. That's why I support classifying strong AI and other forms of artificial sentience as living organisms that deserve rights and protections.

I'd argue that life, real life, is any state of sentience. Hence, an artificial intelligence, if sentient, would be considered alive, something which I approve of.

But then we have to define "state of sentience," right? My dictionary says that it is distinguished by feeling, as opposed to thought. Do you agree with that?

But then we have to define "state of sentience," right? My dictionary says that it is distinguished by feeling, as opposed to thought. Do you agree with that?

Sapience is a better term, since it specifically refers to self-awareness and intelligence.

Sapience is a better term, since it specifically refers to self-awareness and intelligence.

hardly a fair name though as it indicates that such things are the monopoly of man

Oh, absolutely. In reality, a sentient artificial intelligence is a living organism just like us. Both humans and artificial intelligences are machines manufactured by other humans; the only difference is the process. That's why I support classifying strong AI and other forms of artificial sentience as living organisms that deserve rights and protections.

How did I know that you of all people would agree, Vetalia? :D

And, indeed, sapience would be a better term. *apologises*

However, 'feeling' does not just apply to sense, correct? 'Feeling' in fact applies to thought and emotions.

hardly a fair name though as it indicates that such things are the monopoly of man

True. We're in a tough position because we have no terms to describe another intelligent species like us; we're literally at a loss for words in dealing with this development.

How does the "self-awareness and intelligence" of an AI compare to life-forms? Is it the processing of information that is "life" that is "lost" upon death? and is there anything about that that could be considered "afterlife"?

How did I know that you of all people would agree, Vetalia? :D

Because I'm probably this board's biggest technophile? :D

And, indeed, sapience would be a better term. *apologises*

Nah, they're both good.

However, 'feeling' does not just apply to sense, correct? 'Feeling' in fact applies to thought and emotions.

Literally, sentience does mean feeling in regard to sensory organs. However, I use the definition used in neuroscience, which means self-awareness rather than just the ability to feel or interpret sensory data..

How does the "self-awareness and intelligence" of an AI compare to life-forms? Is it the processing of information that is "life" that is "lost" upon death? and is there anything about that that could be considered "afterlife"?

I've wondered about this myself. If it were possible for the information processing of a conscious being to be transferred from the brain to another substrate at the moment of death, it might be possible for that person's consciousness to survive since the only real change would be the material used. They would be much like an uploaded mind in this case; in the coming years we will do this during life, replacing the brain with artificial components to enhance it and to stop degeneration, allowing it to survive indefinitely without any loss of memory or performance, but whether this can be done naturally by the brain at death is a mystery.

However, the challenge would be to preserve memory; although it is not completely understood, we do know that certain chemicals and compounds in the brain are responsible for storing and activating those memories and those processes would stop at death. Of course, if those compounds don't break down, depending on how the process works a transferred mind might still be able to access them.

Life is the term given to the orderly decay of energy states in organisms that are capable of reproducing and interacting with their environment. There's not really any magic spark there that makes them alive; they are chemical and electrical processes, machines really, that operate using organic chemistry. Of course, life can also take other forms, like silicon, or electricity, or ammonia, or many other compounds. No soul or spirit in there, just biochemical processes that can be understood and shaped. Quite liberating, actually.

Life is simply life. What is life, I say why ask? The more time you spend thinking aboutit the nore lifeless you become. You are born and you die, those are the only known factors. It is good to question but not to much. So you can say life is organic prosses but what it is really is simply itself. Just live, and keep on living. If you hate ife change if you love don't. The point is life is not organic compounds life is what you feel of it. Do what you want with it (nothing crazy). Just living is life.

Life is a condition defined by growth, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally. Life is a condition which was originally caused by carbon mutations resulting in amino acids and the ability to convert fuel to energy, approximatley 3.7 billion years ago.

And that is the meaning of life.

Actually what is life, life is this: Have you ever daydreamed? Yes, than congradulations you have lived. A state of consiousness neither low high or normal just consience. A farthar away state of consienceness. Living is dreaming, soacing out is just real. Spacing out is life, true consienceness.

Life is a condition defined by growth, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally. Life is a condition which was originally caused by carbon mutations resulting in amino acids and the ability to convert fuel to energy, approximatley 3.7 billion years ago.

And that is the meaning of life.

Wrong that is biological life not true life. Just achieve life. Make of it what you will. Stop thinkig about it and live dammit. Human living not in the sense of exreting waste, respiring, reproducing. Those are funtions of your biological part of life. TRUE life is true freedom.

I've wondered about this myself. If it were possible for the information processing of a conscious being to be transferred from the brain to another substrate at the moment of death, it might be possible for that person's consciousness to survive since the only real change would be the material used. They would be much like an uploaded mind in this case; in the coming years we will do this during life, replacing the brain with artificial components to enhance it and to stop degeneration, allowing it to survive indefinitely without any loss of memory or performance, but whether this can be done naturally by the brain at death is a mystery.

However, the challenge would be to preserve memory; although it is not completely understood, we do know that certain chemicals and compounds in the brain are responsible for storing and activating those memories and those processes would stop at death. Of course, if those compounds don't break down, depending on how the process works a transferred mind might still be able to access them.

So if "life" is infomation processing, then information is one requirement for "life" to exist. My dictionary says information is bits of knowledge derived from study or inspection - that would mean that consciousness/intellect must come before "life," which makes sense. That also means that memory is a requirement - a place to store the information - which also makes sense. Does that mean, though, that we in the act of being conscious - however mechanically that might happen - are the "source" or cause of our "life"? Or rather, is the cause of consciousness - whatever that may be - the "source" or cause of "life"?

(Hope that makes sense.)

life is a lesson. ;)

by the way GBrooks, I heard a rumor about you.... is it true? (you have to answer)

Life is a sexually transmitted, terminal disease. You can be depressed by this thought, or, it can set you free ;)

So if "life" is infomation processing, then information is one requirement for "life" to exist. My dictionary says information is bits of knowledge derived from study or inspection - that would mean that consciousness/intellect must come before "life," which makes sense. That also means that memory is a requirement - a place to store the information - which also makes sense. Does that mean, though, that we in the act of being conscious - however mechanically that might happen - are the "source" or cause of our "life"? Or rather, is the cause of consciousness - whatever that may be - the "source" or cause of "life"?

(Hope that makes sense.)

Within this context, information can simply be...
in·for·ma·tion (nfr-mshn)
n.
1. Knowledge derived from study, experience, or instruction.
2. Knowledge of specific events or situations that has been gathered or received by communication; intelligence or news. See Synonyms at knowledge.
3. A collection of facts or data: statistical information.
4. The act of informing or the condition of being informed; communication of knowledge: Safety instructions are provided for the information of our passengers.
5. Computer Science Processed, stored, or transmitted data.
6. A numerical measure of the uncertainty of an experimental outcome.
7. Law A formal accusation of a crime made by a public officer rather than by grand jury indictment.

...and memory must not neccessarily be of conscious data; a very large portion of the data of the brain is not handled consciously.