In this blog post, we will explore whether humans would actually become happier if advances in science and technology made eternal life possible, and whether humans who live forever are truly real beings.
In modern society, science and technology are advancing at a rapid pace. Biotechnology, too, has made remarkable strides in a short period of time, and these advancements are closely linked to the extension of human lifespan. In a society where science and technology are advancing so rapidly, we can ask ourselves one question. “If humans could live forever through the power of science and technology, would they truly be happy?” Since eternal life means never experiencing death, it may sound appealing to anyone. However, simply avoiding death does not necessarily lead to happiness. On the contrary, eternal life is highly likely to diminish the meaning of the happiness we experience in our current lives. There are three main grounds for this argument. I would like to examine this issue by focusing on three aspects: the definition of happiness, happiness derived from new environments, and happiness discovered amid anxiety.
The first argument relates to the definition of happiness. What, exactly, is true happiness for humans? According to the Standard Korean Dictionary published by the National Institute of the Korean Language, happiness refers to a state of contentment in which one feels sufficient satisfaction and joy in life. Happiness is like the air around us. We don’t usually notice its presence, but it is always there, and we experience happiness even in the most trivial moments of daily life. The moment you step into a convenience store on a sweltering summer day and feel the cool air conditioning, or the feeling you get when you accidentally find money while walking down the street—these can all be considered forms of happiness.
So, if we were to achieve eternal life, would this happiness increase? On the contrary, there is a greater likelihood that we would lose sight of life’s meaning amid the monotony of daily routines, wander aimlessly, and lead meaningless lives. In Yuval Harari’s ‘Sapiens’, happiness is described as a pleasurable sensation felt within the body. Achieving immortality does not automatically increase these pleasurable sensations. The reason we think we would be happier if we were immortal might simply be the relief that comes from being free from the fear of death.
Furthermore, the “sufficient satisfaction and joy” mentioned in the definition of happiness is a highly subjective element that varies from person to person. Happiness is influenced more by an individual’s mindset than by external circumstances. For example, parents raising a newborn might view themselves as “miserable slaves to a tyrannical baby” or as “people nurturing a new life with love.” Even in the same situation, one’s sense of happiness can vary greatly depending on their mindset.
What if humans were to gain eternal life? Given infinite time, humans might lose their sense of purpose and fulfillment in life and begin to doubt their very reason for existence. Could happiness truly increase in such a numb and listless life? I believe it would not.
The second reason is that the happiness derived from a new environment gradually fades away. Whether you’re a student or a working professional, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Memories of sweating alongside friends while preparing for a school sports day; sneaking out of school with a friend to play games at an internet café with a sense of unease because you didn’t want to attend class; or gathering to study all night during exam season only to end up falling asleep at your desks—these are precious memories that still bring a smile to your face even years later.
Would we truly be able to continue feeling this kind of happiness if we had eternal life? If we were to live forever, the opportunities to experience new stages of life—such as our school days or our early career years—would gradually diminish as we grow older. Ultimately, it is highly likely that we would settle into a single way of life and continue living a repetitive existence. If that happens, the fresh happiness that comes from new environments would also gradually diminish.
Of course, there are counterarguments to this. Some argue that with eternal life, since time is infinite, one could actually have more new experiences and feel even greater happiness. However, once humans reach a certain stage of maturity, it becomes difficult to relive the special events that can only be experienced during the process of growing up. Ultimately, it is more likely that we would remain stuck in a repetitive life rather than seeking new experiences, and this repetitive daily routine could sap our will to live and lead to apathy.
In Professor Kim Kwang-sik’s ‘Philosophizing with Kim Kwang-seok’, he explains that eternal life means merely “existing” rather than “being.” In other words, experiences possible only during specific periods—such as high school, college, or early career—and the happiness gained from those processes can no longer be enjoyed if one were to live forever. Life would become a repetitive routine, and the sense of fulfillment and value in life would likely diminish significantly. Ultimately, it may become difficult to view humans as truly “existing” beings; they would merely maintain their existence in a state of lethargy.
Such humans, merely existing, would find it difficult to fully appreciate even the small joys of daily life mentioned earlier. Because we, who do not live forever, know that we will eventually face death, we strive to make the most of the time given to us within our current identities and roles. And the memories created during that time serve as both present happiness and a source of joy when we look back on the future.
The third and final argument is that humans find happiness amid anxiety. The book ‘Philosophizing with Kim Kwang-seok’ includes the following passage: “If we lived peacefully, without a care in the world, as if we had been granted an infinite life, would we be able to feel the poignant essence of life? That would be merely ‘existing,’ not ‘being.’”
Many people will likely relate to this statement. I certainly do. As exam season approaches, stress and pressure mount, but the moment the exams end, I feel a great sense of liberation and happiness. If there were absolutely no pressure regarding exams, would I truly be able to feel that sense of liberation and happiness? I don’t think so. It is precisely because anxiety exists that we feel the happiness that follows all the more deeply.
Life is no different. We live with a fear of death, whether consciously or unconsciously. Knowing that life has a definite end, we strive to spend the time we have left more meaningfully. So what would happen in a life of eternal life without death? If time were infinite, humans would not feel fear of death and might think that constantly putting off what needs to be done isn’t a big problem. If that were the case, our sense of purpose would gradually fade, and life could become listless. Could such eternal life truly bring greater happiness to humans? I believe it would not.
So far, we have examined whether humans would become happier if scientific and technological advancements made eternal life possible. From three perspectives—the definition of happiness, happiness gained in new environments, and happiness discovered amid anxiety—we have explored why eternal life does not necessarily lead to happiness.
Ultimately, if a person were to achieve immortality, they might cease to be a “being-in-the-world” and become merely a “being-that-is.” In ‘Philosophizing with Kim Kwang-seok’, the author introduces Heidegger’s philosophy, explaining that “when one becomes aware of death, one becomes aware of the finite meaning of time and, ultimately, comes to realize the meaning of a life lived authentically.” In this regard, the Buddhist perspective presented in ‘Sapiens’ is also intriguing. In Buddhism, it is believed that happy emotions do not last long, and because one knows even in the moment of joy that it will soon fade, it is difficult to attain true happiness. Ultimately, it is only when one lets go of attachment to life and attains enlightenment that one can truly come close to happiness.
Regardless of which perspective is more valid, it is difficult to conclude that eternal life itself makes humans happier. Even if one attains happiness through enlightenment, eternal life does not guarantee greater happiness than that. Ultimately, eternal life is more likely to undermine the meaning and purpose of human life than to make it happier.
It is none other than ourselves who create the meaning of our lives. Time is precious precisely because it is finite. It is within that finite time that we must live each day with the meaning we have designed for it. If we live each day as if it were our last, we can become beings who truly exist, rather than merely existing. If you were to attain eternal life, would you become a being who truly exists, or would you remain merely a being that exists?
