Invented by Socrates (for Europe and the West) to signify the elite, it became part of the teaching of religious groups including Christianity providing longevity to a different kind of elite (religious followers and believers). I suggest the concept was borrowed from Ancient Egypt where until the Middle Kingdom only ruling groups had eternal life and sat amongst the Gods. Then the rich, especially the provincial rich, got in on the act. Although this was not exactly like the later religious construct, it nevertheless met many of the same conditions.

But to suggest that human beings, short-lived, largely individually limited, should live forever represents only an overcrowding in the firmament. It also goes significantly against the reality of brain diseases whereby little remains of the individual before death let alone after it.

But the concept is ruinness for the living, limiting investigation perhaps into diseases like the above, as well as limiting the capacity to truly answer the nature of humankind and any purposes we have or may acquire. A sense of limits is a good thing! It will also stop religions exploiting our good nature and encourage us to act well towards others without searching for possible rewards!!!

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