I think the term “vortex” is apt simply because it demonstrate you’re aware it sounds silly, but in a world where intent is more readily apparent, I would simply just use the standard term: Soul. (Bearing in mind that there are mortal as well as immortal models of the soul. (Although, if the soul does resemble a vortex, then it may be well possible that it keeps spinning in absence of the initial physical cause. Perhaps some form of “excitation in the quantum soul field” that can only be destroyed by meeting a “particle” (identity/soul, in this case) of the perfect waveform necessary to cancel it out.))
As in my previous comment, if the soul exists, then we will need to discover that as a matter of researching physical preservation/cryonics. Then the debate begins anew about whether or not we’ve discovered all the parts we need to affirm that the simulation is the same thing as the natural physical expression.
Personally, I am more a fan of Eliezer_Yudkowsky’s active continuing process interpretation. I think the identity arises from the process itself, rather than any specific momentary configuration. If I can find no difference between the digital and the physical versions of myself, I won’t be able to assume there are any.
I think the term “vortex” is apt simply because it demonstrate you’re aware it sounds silly, but in a world where intent is more readily apparent, I would simply just use the standard term: Soul. (Bearing in mind that there are mortal as well as immortal models of the soul. (Although, if the soul does resemble a vortex, then it may be well possible that it keeps spinning in absence of the initial physical cause. Perhaps some form of “excitation in the quantum soul field” that can only be destroyed by meeting a “particle” (identity/soul, in this case) of the perfect waveform necessary to cancel it out.))
As in my previous comment, if the soul exists, then we will need to discover that as a matter of researching physical preservation/cryonics. Then the debate begins anew about whether or not we’ve discovered all the parts we need to affirm that the simulation is the same thing as the natural physical expression.
Personally, I am more a fan of Eliezer_Yudkowsky’s active continuing process interpretation. I think the identity arises from the process itself, rather than any specific momentary configuration. If I can find no difference between the digital and the physical versions of myself, I won’t be able to assume there are any.