WHEN DOES LIFE TRULY BEGIN? A REFLECTION ON HUMAN EXISTENCE

Ordinarily, life for humans begins at conception; similarly, for animals, life also starts at conception. In contrast, for inorganic matter, life begins at the moment of creation. In this discussion, however, our focus will be on human life.

To explore this topic clearly, let us first consider the meaning of the word "life." According to Google, life is defined as "the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death." If we accept this definition, why then do we often argue that life begins at a specific age different from the day a person is born?

To deepen this perspective, let us examine the purpose of an individual’s existence. Does the Creator send humans into the world without a purpose? Or do humans come into the world randomly, without any plan? The answer is likely no. We believe that every living person has a purpose for existing on this earth. A person who enters the world and dies almost immediately cannot be said to have fulfilled their purpose; such deaths are often described as "untimely" because, in the eyes of society, the individual died too young—without achieving anything meaningful.

Having considered the timing of human entry and exit from the world, we now turn to the circumstances and milestones that define a life lived to an appreciable degree—one that a person can be proud of when leaving this world.

Human life unfolds in distinct stages: the dependent stage (infancy), the interdependent stage (childhood and adolescence), and the independent stage (adulthood). During infancy, a person is entirely dependent on caregivers. In the interdependent stage, the individual relies on parents or guardians for most needs, while also beginning to contribute in small ways. Finally, in the independent stage, the person sustains themselves without assistance.

A child aged between 2 and 12 years, for example, has not truly begun life in the fullest sense, as they rely entirely on others for support. Even during adolescence, when some may start part-time jobs or skill acquisition, many still depend largely on their parents or guardians. As long as an individual is not fully responsible for their own sustenance, it can be argued that life, in its fullest sense, has not yet truly begun.

By the age of sixty, however, the individual who once depended fully on others has typically fulfilled their responsibilities. At this stage, many have little or no financial burdens related to their immediate family and enjoy the freedom to engage in leisure and personal interests. Even if some responsibilities remain, they no longer weigh heavily. A sixty-year-old person lives life on their own terms—deciding their daily routines, meals, and activities without external control. It is at this stage that life, in its fullest and most autonomous form, truly begins.