From: Reason (reason@exratio.com)
Date: Sat Apr 05 2003 - 16:14:14 MST
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-extropians@extropy.org
> [mailto:owner-extropians@extropy.org]On Behalf Of Harvey Newstrom
> Lee Corbin wrote,
> > Yes, but the point is that some people argue that the very
> > identities of their atoms *are* important, and that they'd have
> > no objection to teleportation if they didn't have this lingering
> > feeling that "their" original atoms were back in the previous
> > teleporter pod reduced to piles of elements.
>
> Can you point out any examples of this argument or person? I
> can't see even
> religious people believing in a soul caring about which atoms are used. I
> think this is a false assumption about people who don't think copies
> preserve identity. There also is a third belief (held by me) that both
> copies preserve identity, but that neither should be destroyed.
>
> I think we are wasting time discussing whether individual atoms are
> important until we actually find someone who holds this belief.
I'm a risk-evaluator and a conservator of individual atoms; from my point of
view, "soul" is shorthand for "this pattern as expressed in these atoms
right here, more or less." Continuity theory of identity in other words. I
would not go in for destructive moves or copying, because I feel that it is
an unnecessary existential risk. Sure, there are all these philosophical
arguments to show that I'll be fine -- but why take the chance when I don't
have to? If I'm unwilling to die (considering that I'm fairly open to the
idea of an infinite multiverse) then why would I be willing to be
destructively copied?
Reason
http://www.exratio.com/
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