5 ms·

If "survival" only means continued metabolism and respiration, yes. But I submit that "survival" means more than just that. We're human beings, so for us, surv

• eru 15y ago
  I'd call that "independent thought, art, science, honesty, self-esteem, productive work", and keep the definition of survival close to something like "You're heart's still beating.".
  • maxharris 15y ago
    But the problem with your definition is that if we go by it, human survival in the long-term is not included. Your mind's independent thought is ultimately the thing that ensures that your heart keeps beating. Without it, there will come a point where you can't keep making the things you need to stay alive physically.
• Travis 15y ago
  I understand where you're coming from, but not everyone has the same ethical sense that you do. I think you would be hard pressed to say that people without those things (art, science, productive work, honesty, etc.) are not surviving. Maybe they aren't thriving... but that's different. I think Maslow's heirarchy of needs is pretty relevant here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslows_hierarchy_of_needs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslows_hierarchy_of_needs