The Pursuit of Immortality: Achieving an Enduring Legacy

What drives you to create a work of art, have a child, start a company, write a book, mentor a protege, become an activist for a cause you care about, build a skyscraper, donate money to the animal shelter, become a social media influencer, leave a legacy that would make you feel proud?

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Throughout history, humans have been captivated by the idea of achieving immortality—transcending the limits of mortality and achieving a state of eternal existence. This fascination with immortality has driven the creation of various "immortality projects," which encompass a wide range of endeavors aimed at achieving some form of lasting impact or enduring legacy. From religious and cultural pursuits to scientific and technological advancements, immortality projects take many forms and can profoundly impact our society.

“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” –Chuck Palahniuk

Psychological Underpinnings

The pursuit of immortality projects is deeply rooted in psychology. Terror management theory (Greenberg, Pyszczynski, and Solomon, 1986) posits that as humans we are inherently aware of our own mortality and this awareness triggers a fundamental fear of death. To cope with this existential dread, we seek ways to transcend mortality, often through the creation of symbolic or literal immortality.

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Immortality projects provide a sense of purpose and meaning, allowing us to believe our actions have a lasting impact that extends beyond our lifetimes (Becker, 1973). Having or adopting kids is a classic example; philosopher Luc Ferry notes that “by having children, humans assure their continuity: becoming in a sense a part of the eternal cycle of nature, of a universe of things that can never die” (Ferry, 2010).

Immortality projects can allow us to feel not just purposeful, but also heroic (Kagan, 1994)—like for those in positions to invent vaccines, cure diseases, or start non-profits that make significant, positive dents in the world.

The Cultural Significance

Immortality projects have played a pivotal role in shaping cultures and societies across history. Religious beliefs, for instance, provide a framework for believers to attain spiritual immortality through an afterlife. In Christianity, the promise of eternal life in heaven is a central tenet of the faith. Similarly, ancient Egyptian culture is renowned for its monumental pyramids and mummification practices, which were aimed at ensuring the physical preservation and spiritual continuation of the deceased.

Literature and the arts also serve as immortality projects, allowing creators to achieve a form of enduring legacy. The works of Shakespeare, for example, continue to be celebrated and studied centuries after his death, ensuring his name and ideas live on. This cultural significance highlights the capacity of immortality projects to shape the collective memory of a society.

Spanish essayist and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno opined that any man “puts his name to his writing, painting, statue, or song—wishes, at the least, to leave behind a shadow of his spirit, something that may survive him.” Is there a place you wish to leave a shadow of your spirit behind?

“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”—Benjamin Franklin

Scientific and Technological Immortality

Advancements in science and technology have introduced new dimensions to the concept of immortality. Cryonics, a practice involving the freezing of deceased individuals in the hope of future revival, exemplifies the intersection of science and immortality. Organizations like the Alcor Life Extension Foundation offer cryonics services with the belief that future medical technologies could potentially restore life to frozen bodies.

Transhumanism, a movement that advocates for the enhancement of human capabilities through technology, also embodies the pursuit of immortality. Ray Kurzweil, a prominent transhumanist, envisions a future in which humans merge with machines, achieving a state of digital immortality by transferring their consciousness into advanced artificial bodies or digital platforms. Kurzweil believes humans will achieve immortality by the year 2030 (Entis, 2015).

In Summary, Pay Attention to Your Illusions

The concept of immortality projects reflects our deep-seated fear of mortality and the various ways in which individuals and cultures seek to overcome this fear. From religious and cultural traditions to scientific and technological innovations, immortality projects continue to shape our societies and lives. These projects provide a sense of purpose, meaning, and a way to leave a lasting impact on the world.

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Ultimately, whether achieved through art, religion, science, or other means, the pursuit of immortality projects reflects our enduring human desire to transcend the limits of mortality and leave a mark that defies the passage of time. Be mindful of your motives when taking on a project that makes you feel symbolically immortal. In most cases, these endeavors benefit others and society (like donating money for a new wing at your local hospital), but they might signal a need to deal with death anxiety at a deeper level.

Perhaps Woody Allen said it best: “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying.”