From: Rafal Smigrodzki (rms2g@virginia.edu)
Date: Thu Nov 14 2002 - 10:35:56 MST
gts wrote:
> Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
>
>> ### Which gts are you?
>
> As I said, I call myself gts-1 of universe-1 of the (possible) MWI
> multiverse.
>
>> Remember, there is approximately 10x26 versions of
>> gts differing from each other by a single electron spin
>> somewhere in their brains. Which one are you and how do you know?
>
> If they exist then each of them exists in a slightly different
> universe from this one. I know only that I am the gts writing this
> message, in this universe which I have labeled universe-1. Those
> others share my *nominal* identity (name, birthdate, etc) but they do
> not share my *non-nominal* identity (body and personality).
### But how do you know which one is you? You cannot subjectively feel the
change in the spin of one electron in your brain. All you feel are your
thoughts, not electrons. Since all the 10x26 versions of you have exactly
the same thoughts (they differ by a single electron), how do you know which
one you are? Shouldn't you say, as long as all thoughts are the same, there
is only one of you? (Remember, the other versions are overlapping you as a
superposition, they are not removed from you in space, like your copies)
-------
>
> I appreciate your desire to be identified with other Rafals in other
> MWI universes, and many of those other Rafals are probably fine
> people, people with whom you would and should be proud to be
> associated with. Consider however that some of those other Rafals are
> undoubtedly so despicable that you would not even care to be in the
> same room with them, much less share their identity. Do you really
> think you are them?
>
### If their thoughts are different to a sufficient degree, they are not me
by my definition of self. You see - I identify with my thoughts, which
allows me to identify with all copies and MWI branches, without the need to
introduce unobservable variables.
Rafal
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Jan 15 2003 - 17:58:07 MST