Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026)
Studies

"Longevity" from the Perspective of Systems Science: Essay

Éva Ziegler
systems research engineer, visiting lecturer

Published 25-06-2026

Keywords

  • Longevity,
  • systems science,
  • control science,
  • prioritizing education,
  • individual and social responsibility,
  • finite earth system,
  • escape plan

Abstract

Longevity means a longer, higher-quality life for individuals, which must necessarily apply to everyone—not just a privileged few—despite the growing population of humanity. To this end, on the one hand, society is obliged to provide quality, high-level education to everyone who is able to learn, because long life also entails a responsibility to create value, and individuals must be empowered to do so. On the other hand, armed with the high level of knowledge and experience gained, every individual is expected to contribute responsibly to the inevitable and necessary expansion of earthly limits and to the "escape plan" for at least a twenty-year period of their life. Society, in turn, must become open and receptive to the meaningful utilization of this expected contribution.