> It's a waste of time to ponder whether the
> original identity survives "as" the dupicate. The facts are that the
> original is gone and we will never know.
Strangely, I see this as the ultimate question. My whole interest in uploading is to extend my own lifespan beyond death.
> How will this effect your successful adaptation to your
> environment? Will your family and friends grieve the loss of the original
> or really accept you "as" him. There's a great potential for isolation,
> depression, anxiety, etc. As Robin indicated, these matters are more
> salient and meaningful than debates over the unknowable (I hope I'm not
> mis-characterizing your comments, Robin).
Strangely, these are the unknowable and unanswerable philosophical question in my view. I see these questions as meaningly and moot.
-- Harvey Newstrom <mailto:harv@gate.net> Author, Engineer, Entrepreneur, <http://www.gate.net/~harv> Consultant, Researcher, Scientist. <ldap://certserver.pgp.com>