Thread: A Falsifiable Solution to the Star Trek Problem...

Specifically, of course I don't know, but I would point to those who have had all of "the conscious matter" destroyed and... stopped being conscious (or being much of anything else, for that matter.)

Originally Posted by ♥Mark

Specifically, of course I don't know, but I would point to those who have had all of "the conscious matter" destroyed and... stopped being conscious (or being much of anything else, for that matter.)

If I was with Omnis, I would argue that if someone's brain were to explode, or be split completely in half (including the peripheral nervous system), each bit of brain would be a new identity, though they wouldn't have "equal claim to the original," since they can't recall all of the original's memories.

Also, not technically arguing for one or the other. My conclusion is an "or" statement. It just so happens we will be able to test this some time in the future.

Originally Posted by Abra

Also, not technically arguing for one or the other.

Nor am I, really. I was just wondering out loud. It just seems easy to see it as no matter how much you cut it up or rearrange it, the consciousness is still tied to some bit of matter somewhere.

If I had to guess, though, I'd say if we did truly understand what happens in these cases it'd probably do more to rewrite (or erase) our ideas of individuality and personal identity than it would the mechanics of consciousness.

Originally Posted by Abra

If I was with Omnis, I would argue that if someone's brain were to explode, or be split completely in half (including the peripheral nervous system), each bit of brain would be a new identity, though they wouldn't have "equal claim to the original," since they can't recall all of the original's memories.

Also, not technically arguing for one or the other. My conclusion is an "or" statement. It just so happens we will be able to test this some time in the future.

My argument is just because an emergent system has a gestalt aspect to it, it doesn't have any more claim to an identity than the individual atoms that make it up.