X-Message-Number: 26379
References: <>
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Re: Ethics of Immortality
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 13:55:44 +0200

On Jun 22, 2005, at 3:58 AM, David Pizer wrote:

> What I would really like are ideas on how we (you and I) can do 
> something to correct this situation as quickly as possible.  I don't 
> want to make the religions go out of business.  I don't want to punish 
> anyone.  I want the religions to act more responsible and no longer 
> *guarantee* followers eternal life.  They need to have some 
> disclaimers, just as cryonics does, when they talk about eternal life 
> and their other  *possible* benefits.

The main problem with this analysis is that it assumes belief 
(attitude) is directly related to behavior. There are numerous 
psychological studies showing this isn't true and many other 
investigating the relationship between attitudes and behavior.

Another problem is the use of the concept of responsibility. Most 
religious persons try to act responsibly given their worldview. If this 
view assumes the existence of an eternal soul, then participation in 
cryonics could be seen as an irresponsible waste of money.

Finally, faith is inherent in many religions and there is no way that 
any doubts would be tolerated. Psychologically, it works like this (we 
assume that certainty plays a dominate role in cognition - there is 
lots of evidence for this).

Role of certainty in religious and immortalist identity:

I have an _immortal soul_.
(Arbitrary _absolute_ belief)
(Weak base, _no risk_)

If _technology advances rapidly_,
then my soul can be immortal.
(_Tested_ conditional belief)
(_Strong base_, high risk)





> I feel that we humans, if we want to rise to our best potential, have 
> an obligation to help others

This is a crucial insight which continues to be ignored in part of the 
cryonics movement.

If we want changes in behavior, such as people signing up for 
suspension, we must build the supports for this behavior into people's 
current environment. Religions do this by passing out rewards for 
desired behavior within an organizational context, which is 
self-reproducing. This reproduction includes an education component, 
such as that suggested, but it is only one of the requirements for 
worldview maintenance. Education alone is not adequate. An explicit 
role for "others", the group/institutional context, is also required.


Message numbers 19361, 22488, and 22604 discussed this previously.



dss


David S. Stodolsky    SpamTo: 

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=26379