X-Message-Number: 1722
From:  (Timothy Freeman)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Cryonics and The Death Penalty
Message-ID: <>
Date: 8 Feb 93 14:38:29 GMT
References: <>


In article <>  (Richard 
Feynman's Ghost) writes:

   Since there is such a controversy over using the death penalty, but so many
   people feel it is morally acceptable and necessary for prison
   population/economic control, why don't we use cryonics as the solution?

Um, I vaguely remember that because people get super-due process
before receiving the death penalty, using the death penalty is
actually more expensive than keeping the fellow in jail for life.  In
any case, the death penalty is applied infrequently enough that it
can't possibly have a significant effect on our prison populations.

The only argument I can see for it is using it as a deterrent.
Whether it works as a deterrent depends on the psychology of the
criminals, about which I know nothing.

I agree with your list of advantages and disadvantages and have
nothing to add, except I would move "deferring moral judgement" to the
"disadvantage" column. I don't think our society benefits from ducking
issues.

   Following this: could someone explain to me theories on the brain while in
   cryonic suspension.

Simple thermodynamic arguments (see the FAQ) lead to the conclusion that no
significant amount of chemistry happens while in cryonic suspension.
Assuming that thought is a chemical process rather than a supernatural
process, it follows that no thought happens.  Did I answer your
question?

The real issue is how much damage suspension causes, and whether that
damage will be repairable.  Is that what you meant to ask?

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