Seat of the self?

I'm not sure if the video made sense. I edited out a lot of parts, rearranged some parts... I recorded some parts early in the day and some parts later in the afternoon so it may be a bit incoherent, I'm not sure ... can't bear to watch it one more time to check for consistency... just read this description if you didn't understand anything... can't bear to watch it one more time to check for errors.

I guess the problem is more interesting for atheists or at least people who think that consciousness is produced entirely by the brain, since most theists subscribe to the notion of a "soul" which they believe to be the seat of the self
Anyway, if you missed them, here are the two thought experiments that I talked about in the video. I paraphrased them a little to make them a bit clearer.

Thought experiment #1: you're in a planet that's about to self destruct. There are only two ways to leave the planet. Which do you choose?
1.) you can leave the planet through a spaceship but your chances of surviving the trip to your destination is extremely slim (let's say less than 5%)
2.) You can leave the planet using a "teleportation machine" which creates an exact copy of you with all your memories and personality in another location and then it destroys the original copy

Thought experiment #2: You acquired a disease that gradually rewires your neural networks until all your memories and your personality will be completely changed. Let's say it will be rewired to replicate the brain of your mother so that all your mother's memories and personality will be implanted in you and you will lose all your memories and personality.
The only cure is to undergo a procedure in which a few of your brain cells will be replaced by microchips every year. The microchips will function exactly like neurons. From your perspective, you won't notice any changes. Every year a small group of your brain cells will be replaced until eventually your brain will be composed entirely of microchips. Your consciousness will be preserved but you will lose the original cells that made up your brain.Now would you rather..
1.) keep the integrity of your consciousness and lose your original brain cells by undergoing the procedure or...
2.) just let the disease run its course and keep your original brain cells

Going with either choice in each of the experiments, you will be sacrificing either the continuity of your material self for the continuity of your consciousness or vice versa. How would you go about making your decision? If the continuity of the material body is more important for you, how would you reconcile the fact that your body regenerates its cells, including some of your brain cells, with your position. And if you think that the continuity of your consciousness is more important for you, would you say that people who've had their consciousness altered (people with amnesia) are still the same person? by not wanting to die, what is it really that you're trying to preserve

http://jaywalker-1982.tabulas.com/2007/10/20/@1489250

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• thought
• experiment
• philosophy
• consciousness
• mind
• body
• atheism
• geek
• nerd
• brain
• teleportation
• neuron

[HaleyMary]

For the first thought experiment I choose option one. People aren't really much without their memories and personality. Even if the chances of arriving at the destination wasn't likely. I hope those scenarios don't happen in my lifetime, though. :)

The second thought experiment is a tough one. I'd probably take a chance and undergo the procedure. I hope that scenario doesn't ever happen, though.

[undefinedego]

I choose the teleport for the first thought experiment and the replacement of my brain cells for the second... I will have that done eventually if the technology is around whilst I'm alive.

[undefinedego]

First thought experiment, option 2

2nd experiment

number 1 without a doubt, I want that to happen anyway. I hope I'm still around when the tech is invited.

[grahamillionare]

that would be awesome to only keep my consciousness!

[chindoo]

i like the elephant on your tv.

[WtfJuju]

reminds me of the prestige

[Yakshinian]

Those are interesting questions. I would choose continuity of mind in all cases listed. I am religious and believe in the accuracy of the bible which is why I no longer call myself a christian. There is no immortal soul in the bible. The word translated "soul" is a word meaning "body" in most cases. For this and many other reasons which could be discussed in depth, one could say that "christians" and "bible-believers" are mutually exclusive groups.