The Immortal

Jorge Luis Borges · 1957 · Short Story

Explore this on the mapTrace its ancestors and descendants live in the tree.

Explores the profound philosophical and psychological implications of achieving immortality, questioning whether an eternal life truly retains meaning or identity.

What it is

A Roman tribune recounts his journey to find the city of the Immortals and his subsequent experience with eternal life. The story delves into the philosophical implications of immortality, where endless existence leads to a loss of individuality and meaning.

Craft in this work

Theme ⓘ

Mortality and the fear of death

Premise ⓘ

What if we could live forever?

↑Inherited from(1)

The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar· 1845↑ open

Both works explore the macabre and philosophical aspects of prolonged existence beyond natural death, challenging the meaning of life and death.

↓Passed on to(2)

Ubik· 1969↓ open

Its philosophical questioning of the nature of reality, identity, and the meaning of existence resonates with Dick's themes of subjective reality and ambiguous consciousness.

Permutation City· 1994↓ open

Directly influences the philosophical exploration of eternal digital life, the implications of countless copies, and the potential loss of meaning and individuality in infinite existence.