Death created human beings — so that one day they might challenge her.
The role of death in the history of evolution.
Adaptive traits arise through mutations and recombinations of genes manifested in offspring. The more frequently generations turn over, the greater the opportunities for beneficial variations to appear, be selected, and preserve genetic diversity. From an evolutionary standpoint, it is not the individual's age that matters, but the frequency of reproductive cycles: the shorter they are, the higher the likelihood of successful innovation. Therefore, excessive longevity — or biological immortality — would have slowed the development of species.
Mortality drives natural selection: the unfit are eliminated, giving way to the more viable. Without it, "faulty" genotypes would accumulate, undermining the stability of populations.
Death also sustains the vital cycle of matter and energy essential to the equilibrium of ecosystems.
A limited lifespan prevents overpopulation and excessive intraspecific competition for resources.
If organisms were immortal, species numbers would grow uncontrollably, leading to resource depletion, a decline or cessation of reproduction, and ultimately — extinction once environmental conditions changed.
Thus, death is a necessary condition for the creative process of evolution: it accelerates mutation, sustains diversity, prevents overpopulation, and makes natural selection possible.
Without it, life would lose its flexibility, exhaust its resources, and perish at the first shift of the environment.
So death became evolution's instrument, honing life to the level of intelligence and civilization.
But now the human race must consciously assume evolution's course — and liberate life from death's dominion.
