Skip to main content

The Aging Scientist and the Search for Immortality

  • Chapter
The Joy of Science
  • 73 Accesses

Abstract

It seems entirely proper that this part of the book devoted so doggedly to the darker side of science should wind down with an exploration of the last acts—the aging scientist and the futile but perennial search for immortality. I remind you that this is a book titled The Joy of Science. Does the joy persist to the final curtain, or do scientists suffer the traditional fate of elderly Eskimos of being left to die alone on the ice?

The Reaper at Arm’s Length: Science Is Forever, If You Practice It; Alone on the Ice: A Nightmare Come True for Scientist-Administrators; A “Code of Practice” for Senior Scientists; The “General Withdrawal Syndrome”; The Search for Immortality

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Hans Selye, Stress and the general adaptation syndrome, British Medical Journal 1 (1950), pp. 1383–1395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Robert K. Merton, On the Shoulders of Giants (New York: Free Press, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1985 Carl J. Sindermann

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sindermann, C.J. (1985). The Aging Scientist and the Search for Immortality. In: The Joy of Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6018-4_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6018-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-42035-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6018-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics