11-18-09 Idea Post

Death is the termination of the biological functions that define a living organism. It refers both to a particular event and to the condition that results thereby. The true nature of the latter has for millennia been a central concern of the world's religious traditions and of philosophical inquiry. Belief in some kind of afterlife or rebirth is a central aspect of most if not all religious traditions. The contemporary scientific consensus supposes death to terminate mind or consciousness. The effect of physical death on any possible mind or soul remains for many an open question. Cognitive science has yet to explain fully the origin and nature of consciousness; any view about the existence or non-existence of consciousness after death remains speculative.

Humans and the vast majority of other animals die in due course from senescence. Remarkable exceptions include the hydra, and the jellyfish turritopsis nutricula, which is thought to possess in effect biological immortality.

Intervening phenomena which commonly bring about death earlier include malnutrition, disease, or accidents resulting in terminal physical injury. Predation is a cause of death for many species. Intentional human activity causing death includes suicide, homicide, and war. Death in the natural world can also occur as an indirect result of human activity: an increasing cause of species depletion in recent times has been destruction of ecosystems as a consequence of widening spread of industrial technology.

-Death as an important part of the process of natural selection

-Extinction is the cessation of existence of a species or group, reducing biodiversity

-Death certificates

-Signs of death include:
~Pallor mortis: paleness which happens 15-120 min after death
~Livor mortis: settling of blood in the lower (dependent) portion of the body
~Algor mortis: the reduction in body temperature following death
~Rigor mortis: the limbs of the corpse become stiff and difficult to move/manipulate
~Decomposition: reduction into simpler forms of matter

-Autopsy (postmortem examination) is a medical procedure performed by a specialized medical doctor that consists of a thorough examination of a human corpse to determine the cause and manner of a person's death

-Life extension: refers to an increase of life expectancy or the average lifespan by slowing down or reversing the processes of aging

-Capital punishment

-Euthanasia

-Death is a center of traditions and organizations featured in every culture around the world. It has no boundaries, bias, or rational behavior. Many of the traditions revolve around the care of the dead and preparation for the afterlife.
~Cremation
~Mummification
~Embalming
~Sky Burial

-Reincarnation

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Many cultures have rituals revolving around death that we would consider inappropriate or offensive. Common in Tibet, bodies are given a sky burial in which the corpse is cut in specific locations and placed on a mountaintop to be exposed to the elements (especially birds of prey). Most Tibetans are Buddhist and believe in the process of rebirth and therefore have no need to preserve the body. Instead they practice jhator which literally means, "giving alms to the birds." It is considered an act of generosity, providing food to sustain living beings after death.