Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site oliven.UUCP
Path: utzoo!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!felix!oliveb!oliven!barb
From: barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Immortality
Message-ID: <455@oliven.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 14:44:21 EST
Article-I.D.: oliven.455
Posted: Thu Dec 12 14:44:21 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Dec-85 01:39:34 EST
References: <586@caip.RUTGERS.EDU>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 15

> From: "Keith F. Lynch" <KFL@MIT-MC.ARPA>
>   He can't die.  He's immortal. 

Depends on your definition of 'immortal.'  (Yes, I know Websters
defines it as "not mortal:  exempt from death <~ gods> . . . exempt
oblivion . . . .")  But is 'he' (yes, I also know I'm coming in on the
middle of a discussion) immortal as in unkillable?  In my mind there
are two states of 'immortality.'  First, there is the unkillable,
thumb your nose at death variety (Superman *sans* kryptonite and magic).  
Then there is the variety that does not age beyond adulthood, but can be 
killed (elves, for instance).

Any thoughts on the matter?

Barb