X-Message-Number: 16932
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001 08:26:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Scott Badger <>
Subject: Re: Argument that life has inherent value

David Pizer wrote: 

"I have been trying to argue that life has inherent
value.  So far, I haven't been able to do it very
well.  I would like to have a strong argument that
life does have inherent value so that when the
Venturists begin to debate the status quo for the
rights of frozen beings in the near future, our
arguments will be on strong ground.  If some of our 
opinions cannot be backed up, we will have to refrain
from that area.  So after some advise from others on
this forum, I have put the following argument
together.  Any criticisms on this will be
appreciated."

(skip 8 point argument)

David, 

A few armchair philosophers like myself may try to
split semantic hairs, but I don't think we're going to
have to convince too many people that life has
inherent value. I think you're working too hard on
this idea and not just because I disagree with you. 

;-) 

Let's put it to the readers. 

Query: What public perceptions should we focus on
changing in a pro-cryonics public relations campaign? 

The standard list in no particular order:

(1) Cryonics is unaffordable.
(2) Frozen people are dead, period.
(3) Waking up in a strange future without loved ones
is frightening.
(4) I'll be obsolete and unskilled when awakened.
(5) Overpopulation will result.
(6) It's selfish to use the insurance money for
cryopreservation instead of giving it to your family.
(7) Death is natural.

I'll tell you what, if the readers will e-mail me any
additions they may have to this list, I will slap
together one of those survey web sites and we can all
cast a vote for which public perceptions must be
challenged most aggressively. 

Y'all know how much I love surveys.  :-)

BTW, I'll be away from my computer for the next few
days.

Best regards,

Scott Badger

"Vita Perpetuem"

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