The universal truth

Chen’s article holds a strong emphasis on our fascinations with Longevity. Chen openly admits that: “ longevity is a particular ideal that can be found across many cultures”. She goes on to explain various ways that the idea of immortality and longevity has been evident in all aspects of human culture. My question and what I hope to explore through this piece is why do we as human beings have such a fascination with longevity? Furthermore, why do we specifically as westerners put more emphasis on the idea of eternal youth rather than immortal life itself.
Chen demonstrates through her article that we as human beings have an attachment to at the very least ourselves or our souls whichever you believe makes us unique. Chen then goes on to state how regardless of race or religion, mankind will go through extreme measures to preserve them. I agree with this analysis and would like to make a further stretch that this may in fact be a universal truth: we as human beings will go through whatever means necessary to believe that our essences will be eternal.
To support this statement I first want to look at the idea of ghosts. Whether benevolent or ambivalent we can see that ghosts, appearing in Western European, Early American, Chinese, Japanese, and Southwestern Asian culture. Regardless of any religious significance, all of the cultures stated above believe that the ghost is the essence of deceased person. This notion is supports the idea of a Cartesian dualism, that the body and mind are in fact separate. By all of this cultures acknowledging this separation and promoting the idea of a possibility of an after life; I would say that man in fact does not fear ghosts but rather embraces the idea of our essence living on past our physical bodies. Classic examples of this occur in religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, which all emphasis the idea of one’s soul having a role after the expiration of one’s body. In fact it is because of these beliefs, during life many individuals follow the practices religion out of sheer motivation to have their souls continue on after their expiration.
In examining the material world I feel it is very interesting to look at the ultimate goals of the idea of longevity held by individual cultures. As Chen points out in her article the idea of longevity and extended life is the main goal of Chinese culture and diet. Incorporation of herbs associated with long life such as Ginseng and Ginkgo, into everyday foods like teas and broths reflect longevities presence in everyday Chinese culture. This can be directly attributed to the Chinese’s respect and admiration of the elderly in their culture. Confucius himself described old age as a ‘good and pleasant thing’, which caused you to be ‘gently shouldered off the stage, but given a comfortable front stall as spectator’. This is very much frames Chinese societies’ view of the elderly and simultaneously their view of aging and longevity. If one can grow in a culture that doesn’t discredit them for their age, then aging itself is not something to be feared but rather something to be welcomed and celebrated. The Chinese make this evident in some of their popular culture as Chen points out in her article. Chen mentions specifically Sun Simiao, who was referred to as “the god of medicine”. This euphemism gives us an interesting platform to compare Chinese culture to that of early Greek culture.
The Greeks too had intense beliefs in immortality and the idea of respect coming to those who possessed it. Not merely for the fact that they possessed immortality but for the amount of power and knowledge that came with it. In all historic myths of these cultures protagonists would consult with all mighty gods for advice guidance and general help. These stories even term the term “mortals” to refer to mankind. This term is often used with a negative connotation referring to the frailty of the human body, and weakness of their souls. Yet here it is also important to note that here too there was an underworld thus human life continues even after death.
In comparing the early Greek Gods and Goddess, to the idea of Christianity one can sees similarities. Both emphasis the idea of higher beings above us that our far wiser than we can comprehend because their ages, these beings also posses powers, and intervene when necessary. I feel however where Christianity tends to differ is, that Christianity is age bias. For example in Christinaity the idea is expressed that those saved are in fact is a “ children of God” regardless of one’s age, or status. The connotation of the word “child” infers youth and innocence. Therefore these beliefs set the stage for one to retain this form the rest of their life. This comes into contrast with the Easter ideas of reincarnation, and of one seeking their own enlightenment. Christian ideals emphasis the Father-child relationship one should have with God and therefore, individuals in these societies are forced to embrace the idea of “Father knows best”(Father being God). When one’s earthly knowledge and experience taken out of the picture it is then only natural that the elderly be viewed as weak, and non-credible. Hence these ideas are responsible for our western emphasis on extending our youths rather than our lives.
As much of our culture is formed by religious ideals we in America experience an anti-aging society. Our fear of aging goes so deep that, rather than focusing on the lengthening our lives as the Chinese do, we attempt to extend our youths. We can see this idea reappearing consistently through not only our own culture but also in all cultures where Christianity remains a contributing factor to cultural development. Stories like, Peter Pan (a little boy who refuses to grow up), Lolita (a man who becomes obsessed with a young girl), and the modern romanticization of vampires (individuals who continue on after death remaining young and beautiful eternally); all exemplify our youthful obsession.




Picture citations:
After life
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLoJWFJnac6yNKCuNXPu0KbUzkD9ZA3tA0KNwdkdm0xSWD4vbAUJsj5GlIyiSP6roVvyjQhF_srSmuedLPeGRLXw_fS-7WSVUupuw72RAhmOj-Sjumn2tJMgQVOcK8W1zsCg6hizl7ZFf/s320/afterlife1.jpg
Sim Simao
http://www.itmonline.org/docs/image/sunssumo.jpg
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