X-Message-Number: 25324
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 21:06:53 -0500
From: Francois <>
Subject: To Richard, response to message # 25308: Brains & Minds

Wow, this is really fascinating stuff. You gave a number of good counter
arguments to my own. However, I suppose you will not be surprised when I
tell you that my opinion has not been changed. I am still completely
satisfied that a good enough duplication or uploading procedure will result
in personal survival.

I think the key divergence between our conclusions comes from how we
understand the subjective perception of our sense of self. Subjectively, we
generally perceive ourselves as being situated inside our skulls, about
midway between our temples, with some variations from individual to
individual. Our 'persons' and sense of identity seem to reside there. We can
call this the center of awareness and the qualia experiencer would
responsible for it's existence. It is obvious to me that you consider this
subjective perception to be the very core of our sense of self. Everything
we perceive is being referenced to that center, and no other. Everything
others perceive is being referenced to their own centers. Since what a
duplicate of you would perceive could never be referenced to your center of
awareness, but would instead always be referenced to its own center of
awareness, it follows that a duplicate, however perfect, can never be you.

This is what I conclude from what you have posted so far. I will wait until
you tell me how right or wrong I am before I elaborate further.

Francois
The Devil fears those who learn more
than those who pray

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