X-Message-Number: 25104
From: 
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 10:01:46 EST
Subject: objective subjective

The persistent claim, that there is a philosophical gap between the objective 
and the subjective and that subjectivity is inherently private, is wrong. 

First, we can in principle  discern objective criteria of consciousness by 
the usual means. For example, if certain brain events accompany a subject's 

report of feeling, and if we ourselves have the same feeling when the apparatus

detects such events in our brains, then we conclude that the feeling is inherent
in the events.

Second, it might be possible eventually to share consciousness through some 
kind of radio telepathy, which would be more or less first-hand verification.

More broadly, it is also interesting to remember the puzzles of quantum 

entanglement. Most experts believe that quantum-entangled states span both space

and time--even very large distances and very long times. Most also believe that
quantum entanglement cannot be used for signals, but the whole situation is 

still very mysterious. It is even conceivable that there is a kernel of truth in
the Oriental notion of everybody being part of everyone else--horrible 
thought.

At this point, of course, all this is just amusement, except for the 
constantly reiterated lesson--It's always too soon for despair.

Robert Ettinger


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