What is life and death?

In many tribal and African cultures being "born" means very little.
It does not mean one is alive in culture.
It seems that only when one has an ability to survive in a cruel world that various rituals are performed to make one a "known" member of the tribe.

Birth and death were once "natural" issues for myself.
But now it seems they are cultural processes.

When does life begin and when does it end?
Many cultures have diffuse answers.

Unless death is immediate, in most cultures it is accompanied by a period of mourning.
Whether in a hospital or tribal village - a social death precedes the "natural" death.
Even after a physical death, people may still be considered culturally alive.

If the body becomes such a metaphor for culture, then how can we classify life and death?

reply to post by halfoldman


When does life begin and when does it end


That's easy...it begins when you hit puberty, and ends when you get married.


Unfortunately, that gives either gender a good 10-12 years of life...

reply to post by facelift

Mostly agreed facelift.

But what about after a divorce--or two ahem--and in the full-throes of a midlife crisis gunning a hopped-up red convertible and a sporting a young hardbody on the arm?

I'd say that proves Life AFTER death.