My opinion has changed. I’d like to live as long as everyone else. No more, no less. If the average life expectancy of a healthy American male was 1,000 years, then I’d like to live to be the ripe old age of 1,000. I would not like to rely on cryonics to extend my life. I would however use cloned organs, full body prosthesis, or nanotechnology to extend my life.
My biggest concern with cryonics is whether my consciousness could be transferred to a new body. I’m still skeptical about how consciousness is formed exactly. I’m skeptical that if an exact (to the atomic scale) replica of my brain is created, that it might not be me. I’m not willing to bet money that could go toward my (future) child’s college expenses, a house, or emergency medical expenses. I’d also note that I am currently trying to decide between textbooks, food, and rent. Perhaps if I were more financially secure my opinion would be different.
If consciousness is proven to be concrete, and/or easily transferable then I’ll sign up for cryonics. Until then I’ll live my current life to the fullest, by wasting my money on tangible, menial activities like watching movies, and playing laser tag with my brother.
My biggest concern with cryonics is whether my consciousness could be transferred to a new body. I’m still skeptical about how consciousness is formed exactly. I’m skeptical that if an exact (to the atomic scale) replica of my brain is created, that it might not be me.
The key point of the linked article is that an atom for atom replica of your brain would direct its body to talk about its consious experiences for the same reason you talk about your consious experiences, so it would be an astounding coincidence if your reports of consiousness corresponded with your experience if that consious experience was not part of the causal physics governing the atoms.
I don’t understand. Are you saying that if an exactly replica of my brain was created, then it wouldn’t be me? If that’s the case, then why sign up for cryonics?
My opinion has changed. I’d like to live as long as everyone else. No more, no less. If the average life expectancy of a healthy American male was 1,000 years, then I’d like to live to be the ripe old age of 1,000. I would not like to rely on cryonics to extend my life. I would however use cloned organs, full body prosthesis, or nanotechnology to extend my life.
My biggest concern with cryonics is whether my consciousness could be transferred to a new body. I’m still skeptical about how consciousness is formed exactly. I’m skeptical that if an exact (to the atomic scale) replica of my brain is created, that it might not be me. I’m not willing to bet money that could go toward my (future) child’s college expenses, a house, or emergency medical expenses. I’d also note that I am currently trying to decide between textbooks, food, and rent. Perhaps if I were more financially secure my opinion would be different.
If consciousness is proven to be concrete, and/or easily transferable then I’ll sign up for cryonics. Until then I’ll live my current life to the fullest, by wasting my money on tangible, menial activities like watching movies, and playing laser tag with my brother.
It sounds like you are worried about philosophical zombies.
The key point of the linked article is that an atom for atom replica of your brain would direct its body to talk about its consious experiences for the same reason you talk about your consious experiences, so it would be an astounding coincidence if your reports of consiousness corresponded with your experience if that consious experience was not part of the causal physics governing the atoms.
I don’t understand. Are you saying that if an exactly replica of my brain was created, then it wouldn’t be me? If that’s the case, then why sign up for cryonics?
No, I am saying the opposite, that the exact replica of your brain would be you, complete with your consiousness.