Is the Time of Death Inevitable and Definitive?

Determinists who do not believe in free will assert that our actions are determined by our biology and environment. This perspective suggests that our lives, including the timing of our death, are predetermined. However, they do not explicitly claim that determinism dictates the precise moment of death.

Fear of death is a primary source of human anxiety throughout life, and this fear intensifies as individuals confront the end of life during the aging process. Whether we acknowledge it or not, the main cause of depression and anxiety in the elderly is the fear of death. Irvin Yalom, an existential psychiatrist, believes that the root of most psychological illnesses is the fear of death. This perspective contrasts with Sigmund Freud's theory, which believed that psychological disorders are rooted in childhood and the views of contemporary psychologists who attribute mental disorders to biological origins. Yalom holds that confronting death can lead us to think more deeply about the meaning of life and values [1].

The new findings in aging challenge the deterministic view of human life

Throughout history, most human endeavors have aimed to extend lifespan and avoid aging. Literature, art, and even early scientific pursuits sought to discover the fountain of youth. Although these efforts have evolved into more modern approaches, the quest for eternity and the desire to escape death remain central themes of the new age. Today, a significant amount of research focuses on understanding aging and extending healthy lifespan. The media is filled with daily news about innovative approaches to reduce aging and age-related illnesses. People are eagerly following this news. Apart from a few individuals who are depressed and may not wish to continue their lives, most people want to live fully despite the wars, climate change, refugee crises, and other disasters that concern us. This desire to avoid aging-associated frailty and death may cause some companies to get on this wave and enforce their products as anti-aging supplements or other medications to people. However, genuine efforts to promote a healthy lifespan are a significant focus in biomedical research.

The deterministic view of world destiny is derived from findings in physics and astrophysics regarding the universe's origins, beginning with the Big Bang and continuing through the application of strict physical and mathematical laws, akin to the operation of a machine. Galaxies, stars, and planets emerge at specific times and die at predetermined moments. The emergence of living beings, including humans, is expected to occur within this framework, while the extinction of dinosaurs is also a consequence of these established timelines. Therefore, human destiny is likewise governed by physical rules and is ultimately inevitable.

New evidence shows that the aging process is reversible

Aging is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors, and no single theory can fully explain the aging process. It is well recognized that decreasing the number of aging cells in the body prevents the aging process and promotes healthspan in mammals. Some methods are suggested for reducing aging cells, including lowering dietary calorie intake, engaging in regular exercise, and utilizing specific chemical compounds that target and eliminate aging cells.

David Sinclair recently in a study published in the journal Aging, revealed that specific chemical cocktails can be used to reverse cellular aging. These cocktails, administered for less than a week, can restore a youthful genome-wide state without compromising cellular identity. He shows that it can reverse cellular aging without causing uncontrolled cell division or the potential formation of cancer. Since aging cells contain a higher number of impaired biomolecules, particularly damaged DNA, forcing them to divide and produce younger cells increases the risk of cancer formation. However, the new method allows aging cells to rejuvenate without the risk of tumor development [2].

The aging population, defined as individuals over 60 years old, is projected to exceed 2.1 billion by 2030, according to estimates from the World Health Organization. The increase in aging individuals compared to younger populations poses a crisis for some developed countries. Increased life expectancy over the past few decades indicates that health strategies and new medications have successfully contributed to longer human lifespans. This indicates that it is possible to influence the aging process. However, the concepts of immortality and evading death remain purely speculative. In the nineteenth century, life expectancy was significantly lower than it is today; the average life expectancy for men was approximately 36 years, while women could expect to live to around 38 years.

If we accepted that lifespan is influenced by uncontrollable biological and environmental factors, which is largely true, then we would not be able to live beyond 50 today. While determinists may argue that efforts to extend lifespan are predetermined, this perspective should be regarded as a fallacy. During this time, no animal, including chimpanzees, has experienced such a significant increase in life expectancy. What distinguishes us from chimpanzees? I believe it is our will.