Is it possible to live forever? And if so, should we even want to? This hour, we discuss the search for immortality, from ancient philosophers to the elixir of life. Plus, a look at immortalizing public figures through obituaries.

Guests:

• Tushar Irani is a Professor of Philosophy at Wesleyan University studying Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy.

• Philip Ball is a freelance science writer and the author of “Alchemy: An Illustrated History of Elixirs, Experiments, and the Birth of Modern Science”

• William McDonald recently retired as the obituaries editor for the New York Times, a position that he held for the past 20 years.

Music featured (in order):

• Galahad – Aoife O’Donovan
• You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra
• If We Were Vampires – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• Alchemy – Cam
• Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (But Nobody Wants to Die) – Ellen McIlwaine
• CUT FOR TIME I Don’t Want to Die (In the Hospital) – Connor Oberst
• Fame – Irene Cara

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Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.