HKUST HPS Research Seminar - Navigating the Philosophical Challenges of Cryonics

Cryonics is the practice of preserving individuals at extremely low temperatures after legal death, with the hope of reviving them in the future when medical technology has advanced. This concept raises several philosophical challenges, particularly concerning the nature of death, resurrection, identity, family dynamics, and the ethics of preservation. This presentation explores key philosophical issues, beginning with the case of Professor Li Zehou. It examines the implications of resurrection and the potential societal impact of a revived population, as well as questions related to resource allocation, consent, and family decision-making from a Confucian ethical perspective.