Yes, in most common understandings of immortality, it does stop or significantly slow aging after a certain point.
Immortality, as a concept, generally implies an indefinite lifespan. The specific mechanics of how that indefinite lifespan is achieved often dictate the specifics of aging. Here's a breakdown:
-
Stopping at Peak Maturity: Many fictional and theoretical portrayals of immortality involve ceasing the aging process once an individual reaches their physical prime. They continue to live but don't experience the declines associated with aging. This is suggested by the provided reference, which states that immortals often stop aging "when they are fully grown, or at their peak."
-
Significantly Slowed Aging: In other scenarios, immortals might still age, but at a drastically reduced rate compared to mortals. This might mean aging a year for every century lived, essentially rendering the effects negligible within a normal human timeframe.
-
No Aging at All: Certain types of immortality might completely halt the aging process, with the immortal existing in a fixed physical state indefinitely.
However, it's crucial to distinguish between biological immortality and invulnerability. Immortality doesn't necessarily mean an individual cannot be killed by external forces or injury. Aging is a specific biological process, and halting it is distinct from preventing death by other means.
In conclusion, while the exact details vary depending on the specific definition or fictional context, the general answer is that immortality typically involves stopping or severely slowing down the aging process.
