Yes, an immortal person can typically be hurt, even though they might not die from the injury.
Immortality, in most common understandings, primarily refers to an inability to die from aging or disease. It doesn't automatically grant invulnerability. Here's a breakdown:
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Immortality vs. Invulnerability: It's crucial to distinguish between these two concepts.
- Immortality: The state of living forever, not subject to death by natural causes (aging, disease).
- Invulnerability: The state of being impervious to harm, meaning one cannot be injured.
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Vulnerability to Physical Harm: An immortal being, while immune to death by aging or illness, can still be susceptible to physical trauma. They can be stabbed, shot, burned, or otherwise injured. The effect of the injury is what differs from a mortal.
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Consequences of Injury: While an immortal may not die from an injury, the consequences can vary depending on the specific definition of immortality in question.
- Pain and Suffering: They might experience pain and suffering just like a mortal.
- Impairment: They could be temporarily or permanently impaired by the injury. For example, a broken leg would still prevent them from walking.
- Regeneration/Healing: Some fictional depictions of immortality include rapid regeneration, which would allow the immortal to heal quickly or completely from injuries. However, this is not a universal component of immortality.
- Permanent Incapacitation: While unable to die, an immortal could be rendered permanently incapacitated by severe injury, such as brain damage.
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Examples:
- A vampire in many fictional universes is immortal in that they won't die of old age, but can be killed by a stake through the heart or sunlight. They are susceptible to physical harm.
- Characters who regenerate (like Wolverine from X-Men) might be considered functionally immortal because they can heal from almost any injury, but they can still be injured in the first place.
In conclusion, immortality generally implies an inability to die from natural causes, not an inability to be harmed. While specific definitions and fictional depictions may vary, the core concept is distinct from invulnerability.
