X-Message-Number: 11132 Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 17:06:05 -0500 From: Brook Norton <> Subject: CryoNet #11109 - #11116 Bob Ettinger in #11111: >> Evolution has bred into us (sometimes, among other things) an incredible gallantry that allows us puny motes to take on all comers against all odds. Even if the foe is really there, and even if he really is unbeatable, we will continue to fight. But again, it is much too soon to assume the worst case. Cheer up and be a happy warrior! >> Here's to the good fight! Mike Perry in #11113: >> Brook Norton, #11104, has offered some interesting comment on the viewpoint that a person perishes each instant, to be replaced by another, similar if not identical being. Fundamentally, this instantly-perishing-self theory does not depend on any such property as a gradual loss of memories over time, or other changes. Even if that is not the issue we can still hypothesize that "you" perish each instant to be replaced by a similar but different individual. A similar, if weaker form of this is the "day-person" concept advanced by Thomas Nagel, that basically, we die in our sleep to be replaced by a different but similar individual. Such theories are untestable; they cannot be refuted, they "fit the facts." Yet if we take literally the idea that we will not live past our next period of unconsciousness, it makes little sense to plan for such things as cryonic suspension. As it happens, I like the opposite extreme, i.e. to say that "you" survive in any construct whatever that is sufficiently like you (with the exact meaning of "sufficiently like" a matter to be decided, but certainly allowing the possibility of duplicates). I think this can be made to "fit the facts" too and I prefer it for other reasons. >> If the "instantly-perishing-self theory" turns out to be false, I also like the theory you describe where you exist in "any construct whatever that is sufficiently like you". In that case, I don't think its necessary to say "sufficiently like you". Instead, you could say "you" survive some percentage in other constructs. You survive 100% in clone (at any time, in any universe), 15% in an identical twin, 5% in any mammal, 1% in a rock because those are the percentages of the characteristics you share with those other constructs. Its a fuzzy survival. I think it would be more fun, forever and for all, if your interpretation is right. Brook Norton not a member of any cryonics org (but plan to this year) Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=11132