X-Message-Number: 3848
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #3787 - #3793
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 1995 14:44:54 -0800 (PST)



Hi:

I'm not sure Ettinger understood my meaning because of his description of it
in the Feb 4 message. 

I am not optimistic about any kind of derivation of values from facts, which
seems to be (basically) what Robert is trying to do. We can, naturally, 
derive other values from some basic values that we assume as basic, but that
isn't the same thing. It's true that I want to live, that I enjoy living,
etc. But that is ME, it isn't something that can be derivable from anything
else in the logical sense. 

To anyone who does NOT want that, genuinely and truly, I can say nothing.
They are they and I am I. (At best I would point out that many suicides don't
in fact really want to die; but that is a fact that obscures the logical 
point I make here). Why should they live? Yes, they won't be around any more
if they die. But they are indifferent to that, given that their feelings are
genuine. Isn't it true that those who want to die tend to die, and thus by
evolution tend to disappear with time? Yes, but who said evolution was a test
of values?

			Best and long long life,

				Thomas Donaldson



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