>-----Original Message----- >From: Stathis Papaioannou [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 1:28 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: RE: many worlds theory of immortality > > >Brent Meeker wrote: > >> >-----Original Message----- >> >From: Stathis Papaioannou [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 1:03 AM >> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] >> >Subject: RE: many worlds theory of immortality >> > >> > >> >Hal Ruhl wrote: >> > >> >>I know of no reason to assume that the various branches of MWI run >> >>concurrently. >> >> >> >>If they do not run concurrently then the only way I see for immortality >>is >> >>to be in a branch where immortality is already a possibility inherent in >> >>that branch. >> > >> >I don't see why this should be so. Your consciousness should be able to >>jump >> >between branches, between physical locations and across long periods of >> >time. >> >>Why do you assume that - which seems contrary to experience? It seems that >>consciousness is part of the function of material (i.e. brains). > >I feel that I am the same person as I was five years ago even though hardly >any of the atoms in my body are the same now as then. The body and brain of >the younger me have disintegrated as completely as if I had died and been >cremated. Certainly, the change has been gradual over time, but the fact >remains that I am now comprised of different matter, with different >spacetime coordinates, in a configuration only approximately copying that of >my younger self. Moreover, my reconstructed brain provides me with only >approximately the same memories as my younger self, in addition to the newer >memories. Without resorting to science fiction thought experiments (mind >uploading, teleportation etc.), I think this demonstrates that consciousness >and personal identity are malleable and mobile, even if you restrict >yourself to implementation on brains.
But there is a causal, material chain connecting your brain today and your younger brain. If your brain suffers a concussion or anesthesia, do you suppose your consciousness goes somewhere else? Brent Meeker
