From: nanowave (nanowave@shaw.ca)
Date: Fri Jan 03 2003 - 17:29:49 MST
Lee Corbin wrote:
If ">" is a preference relation, then
normal > abnormal > null
Yes, I think this is an excellent way of putting it, and one that
immediately brings to mind the question: Is this relation best examined from
an objective (as Eugen and Michael Butler seem to suggest) or a subjective
(Lee and Jonathan's take) point of reference? Or perhaps from some
satisfactory blend of the two:
Subjective---------F---------Objective (con - pro)
Where F is a hypothetical fulcrum/balance between the subjective i.e. ("yes,
I think my life's been worthwhile") and a democratically determined
objective i.e. ("these fucking defective clones are costing us a fortune to
treat and/or repair" - "hey, clones are okey-dokey with me")
Obviously F cannot possibly be resolved at least until such time as the
first clone is able to comprehend the basic question: "Are you glad we made
you?"
Therefore I have to say I'm with Shermer in saying - lets run the
experiment.
On another track, I seriously think some cryonics organization (Alcor?)
ought to consider the costs vs. benefits of publicly announcing that clone
Eve shall receive a gratis suspension if things should go tragically wrong,
or she reaches an age where suicide becomes a conceptual and desirable
option. And wouldn't that cause an ethical firestorm if a clone should one
day *demand* the right to an assisted "suicide" in order to obtain a very
high quality suspension.
Russell Evermore
~~because even Jupiter Brains need a great hairstylist~~
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