Aging remains a mystery to science. What causes it? What is it? How does one define it?
Logically, aging is simply a progression to Heaven or Hell. It is nothing more or less. The past merely represents points further away from one's destination, while the future is simply points closer to one's destination.
This model for aging easily explains enigmas that are otherwise puzzling, including:
- why conversion becomes more difficult as one grows older
- why criminals often commit worse and worse crimes
- why so many Christian martyrs have willing accepted earthly death
- why aging does not necessarily make one more wise or just
Theories
Throughout history, many theories of aging have existed. Currently, modern empirical theories of aging are categorized into two groups: stochastic damage-based theories of aging and programmed theories of aging
These groups however, are not strict categories as programmed theories of aging may also incorporate elements of damage based theories. Especially relevant theories known to the public include the free radical theory of aging as well as aging determined by genetics. However, recently empirical evidence of a hormesis effect by free radicals as well as conflicting data weaken the free radical theory.
Additional questions include:
What genetic pathways might influence aging? How does the evolutionary theory of aging affect programmed theories of aging?