Finding the Fountain of Youth

Aharon W. Zorea, PhD, is full professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Richland.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionThe Many Faces of Antiaging and the Fountain of YouthThe SkepticsThe Layout of the BookSECTION ONE: The History of Antiaging from Myth to Modern Science: A Chronological History of an IdeChapter 1: Myth, Magic, and Folklore: Immortality in the Eras before ScienceThe Story of the Story of the Fountain of YouthDeath Defiance in Ancient Religious MythologyThe Fountain in Secular MythologyMythology in Precivilized SocietiesConclusionChapter 2: Changes in Religious Faith and the Rise of Antiaging SciencePolytheism and the Eastern ReligionsAlchemy: The Strange Journey WestThe Specter of Immortality in the WestConclusionChapter 3: Enlightened AgingThe Belief in ProgressChristian Humanism: From Hygiene to Alchemy to Natural PhilosophyThe Birth of Secular Science: From Overpopulation to Evolution and FreudConclusionChapter 4: Antiaging in the Industrial AgeProgress and the Industrial MachineThe Challenge to ProgressivismThe Return to ProgressivismConclusionChapter 5: Antiaging in the 21st Century: From Theory to PracticeAntiaging Techniques of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990sPathway to the Human Genome ProjectThe War between Antiaging and LongevityConclusionSECTION TWO: Modern Paths to the Fountain of Youth: A Topical Approach to the Practice of AntiagingChapter 6: What Is Life, That We May Extend It?Traditional View: Religious SpiritModern Evolutionary Biology ViewBalanced OverviewConclusionChapter 7: What Is Death, That We Might Delay It?Basic DefinitionsCharacteristics of Advanced AgingTheories of AgingBalanced OverviewConclusionChapter 8: What Makes Us Look Younger?The Market for YouthTypes of Antiaging Cosmetic ProceduresConclusionChapter 9: What Makes Us Feel Younger?Successful AgingThinking and Acting YoungerConclusionChapter 10: What Kills Us (and How Can We Escape)?Age-related ConditionsAge-related DiseasesConclusionChapter 11: What Can We Do Now to Extend Our Lives without a Prescription?Defensive BiochemistryLifestyle ChangesSuperfoodsAntiaging DietsSupplementsConclusionChapter 12: What Can We Do Now to Extend Our Lives with a Prescription and Future Technology?Proactive BiochemistryFuture TechnologiesConclusionSECTION THREE: Views from the Experts: An Anthology of Views on the Implications of a Successful Antiaging Movement from a Spectrum of DisciplinesQuestion: Can Science Really Develop a Fountain of Youth?Yes—The prospect of eventually finding a scientific equivalent of the fountain of youth is possible, eventually. (João Pedro de Magalhães)No—The human life span is not easily adjustable, but longer lives of healthy living are possible. (S. Jay Olshansky)Question: Does Youthfulness Breed Recklessness?Yes—If society remains preoccupied by youthful lifestyles and neglects wisdom, it will breed recklessness. (Jill A. Rinzel)Maybe—Persistent youthful immaturity is determined by individuals' character, not age. (Gregory Nathan Johnson)No—An older population will likely result in more conservative behaviors. (Jeffrey Kleiman)Question: Will the Benefits of Very Long Life Spans Outweigh the Social Costs?No—The price of radical life extension is greater than mere money. (Nicholas Agar)No—The overemphasis on vitality will likely undermine the subtle nature of moral character. (Dale Murray)Yes—Extended life spans will not substantially change human nature. (Jeffrey Kleiman)Question: How Would a Successful Antiaging Technology Affect Faith?Jewish View—Immortality is promised by God, but only faith can secure it. (Rabbi Tuvia Bolton)Catholic View—The quest for life on earth distracts from the ultimate reality of life in heaven. (Bishop Robert Morlino)Islamic View—Mortal death is inevitable, and the promise of a fountain of youth is deceptive to both faith and man. (Amer Haleem)Protestant View—The fountain of youth attempts to substitute divine salvation with human salvation. (Rev. Louis Kinsey)Agnostic View—Extended life provides new opportunities for learning, rendering faith less necessary. (Jeffrey Kleiman)Atheist View—Religious faith suppresses the natural evolution that human technology promises. (Zoltan Istvan)References for Further ReadingAbout the Author and ContributorsIndex

Educators can find many uses for incorporating this book into their courses. The author succeeds in his purposive healing by covering the physical, intellectual, and emotional journey of faith regarding the search for the fountain of youth. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.