Kass' article begins by looking at the specific "cures" that modern science is working on. There are three particular areas of scientific development that he deals with in the article. Firstly, he addresses the use of anti-aging cures, which are known as human growth hormones. Many people are currently using these hormones to help maintain their youthful vigor. Kass reports that, in a short time, these cures will become more affordable, allowing more individuals to take advantage of them. For th

Kass later goes on to discuss the idea that people, living prolonged lives will be likely to die on the inside before they are physically dead. Since this is a common problem now, there is no doubt that longer lives would only cause more of a problem. There would need to be things out there to keep people loving life until the end. They would need something to give them a feeling of purpose or a feeling of good. Perhaps this can be found in Kass' idea that "beauty and love" are linked to man's finitude. He goes on to say that beautiful objects may exist in order to show the good that can be present in an otherwise finite world. Beautiful things invoke a feeling of appreciation and love in man. The beauty in natural objects can remind man of his mortality through the love that he has for them. In loving another person, for example, you recognize their own finiteness as well as yours. Besides finding impact in beautiful objects, individuals can discover purpose in their lives by means of virtue and moral excellence. By recognizing one's own mortality, a person can be prepared to devote their actions to virtue. They are making it possible to "free [them]selves from fear, from bodily pleasures, or from attachments to wealth" (Kass, pp. 329). These things are all connected to our will for survival, which makes us feel as though we should prolong life. However, in making sacrifices for the benefit of others, Kass believes that people can truly learn what it means to live.

These criticisms often represent the opinions of legislators and those, concerned with the effects science may have on social life. Some individuals question the outcome that this will have on the population. Will there be a problem in the job market if people are living well past one hundred? When will retirement come about for the longer-lived, and will it have a harmful effect on the others? Will there be any less honor in success if everyone else will eventually get there too? These critics fear that longer life will inevitably bring unwanted change. A simpler criticism against the new developments is the question of: Will this be available for everyone? The answer, most likely is "No". If the cures are too expensive, then they will be geared towards those, who can afford them. This brings to mind the case of Mickey Mantle. Because of his celebrity status and the pressure of the media, doctors chose to put him at the top of the liver transplant waiting list. Although there were many individuals, who had been waiting for extended periods of time for a new liver, he received a transplant within a few days of his request. This proves that certain factors (especially money and status) are important in determining who gets the cures. Therefore, one can assume that in a world full of cures, the person, who is struggling to make ends meet will not have a chance to enjoy prolonged life, whereas the person, who can more easily afford it is almost guaranteed treatment. These are the criticisms of socially conscious individuals. Those, who advocate scientific advancement, are certain that they will figure out a way to overcome these problems in the future

It is now up to Kass to give a new account for those, who believe that there is no such thing as a "soul". In this, his final argument, Kass focuses on the idea that children and education are the answers that life and wisdom present to immortality (Kass, pp. 332). He begins by addressing the teachings of the field of biology; namely that people use procreation as a means of overcoming finitude. On a larger scale, what this proves is that, even according to science, mankind is inclined to accept death and participate in its transcendence. That is to say that through the natural

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Approximate Word count = 2527
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)