Re: Immortality

From: Chris Russo (extropy@russo.org)
Date: Mon Dec 11 2000 - 23:15:57 MST


At 22:28 -0500 12/11/00, Harvey Newstrom wrote:
>I think the key question here is how the two copies are connected.

*sigh* There is no connection. I've seen no one on my side of the
argument so much as imply that there was one, even a little.

I had typed up several lengthy paragraphs expounding upon why I
thought that you would construct such a wildly obvious straw man, but
I realized that it would make no difference. There's a basic
misunderstanding of positions on both sides of this argument:

To us, the importance of our continued existence is adequately
represented by any *identical* copy that continues to carry on with
our thoughts and memories.

To you, the importance of your continued existence is only adequately
represented by the program looking at the world through the eyes of
the original you.

Trying to pretend that those core values can somehow be melded or
argued around has turned out to be a rather fruitless endeavor. Fun
and thought-provoking, but fruitless in terms of coming to any kind
of consensus.

Regards,

Chris Russo

-- 
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought 
or deed, I will gladly change.  I seek the truth, which never yet 
hurt anybody.  It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance 
which does harm."
              -- Marcus Aurelius, MEDITATIONS, VI, 21


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