Ethics of Longevity
The ethics of longevity is a subfield of bioethics that examines the moral, social, and political implications of radical life extension and the pursuit of biological immortality. A key premise is the prioritization of "healthspan" (the duration of life spent in good health) over lifespan. Advocates argue that reducing age-related disease is a moral imperative, comparable to eradicating infectious disease.[1]
Scholars also focus on issues of distributive justice and equity. Bioethicists warn that the high cost of anti-aging interventions may worsen socioeconomic disparities, potentially creating a "longevity gap" where lifespan is closely tied to wealth.[2] Critics further argue that investing in high-tech life extension could divert essential resources from addressing basic social determinants of health in marginalized groups.[3]
Philosophical discourse within the field also addresses the psychological viability of extended life. Debate persists regarding whether radical longevity would lead to "existential boredom" or a loss of urgency, though counterarguments maintain that such risks are outweighed by the intrinsic value of continued agency and personal development.[4] Furthermore, macro-ethical inquiries have assessed the demographic impact of significantly reduced mortality, specifically regarding the potential for overpopulation to overwhelm global ecosystems and resource capacities.[5]
References
- ↑ Couteur, David G Le; Barzilai, Nir (2 August 2022). "New horizons in life extension, healthspan extension and exceptional longevity". Age and Ageing. 51 (8). doi:10.1093/ageing/afac156. PMC 9356533 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 35932241 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Mayhew, Alex (2021). "Aging Justice: Health Justice Extended". Canadian Journal of Practical Philosophy. 7 (1). doi:10.22329/cjpp.v7i1.8210.
- ↑ Venkatapuram, Sridhar (2011). Health justice: an argument from the capabilities approach. Cambridge: Polity. ISBN 978-0745650357. Search this book on
- ↑ Bortolotti, Lisa (2010). "Agency, Life Extension, and the Meaning of Life". Monist. 93 (1): 38–56. doi:10.5840/monist20109313.
- ↑ Davoudpour, Shahin; Davis, John K. (September 2025). "Life Extension and Overpopulation: Demography, Morals, and the Malthusian Objection". HEC Forum. 37 (3): 305–331. doi:10.1007/s10730-022-09504-9. PMID 36571631 Check
|pmid=value (help).
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