There is indeed a fine line between what we are saying and solipsism. But I'm sure Russell is acute enough to differentiate the two (eg: solipsists believe that they are all that exists; we believe that we are infinitely inconsequential fragments of a plenitufde) James
> -----Original Message----- > From: Russell Standish [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 1:14 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Everything is Just a Memory > > Fritz wrote: > > > > > I have spent some time thinking about conciousness and how it relates to > > > time, and here are my thoughts: > > > > I agree with most of what GSLevy said. However, what is it that links > two > > observer moments? The answer: memory. The *only* reason you even have > a > > perception of other observer moments is because you remember them within > > > another observer moment. In fact, when you are experiencing one > observer > > moment, it is not necessary for any previous observer moments to exist > (or > > have existed) at all, because they are still perceived in exactly the > same > > way within the current observer moment regardless. > > > And more stuff in the same vein - deleted for brevity. > > This argument is not too different from solipsism. The basic arguments > against solipsism - eg David Deutsch's exposition in FOR apply here. I > have criticised Jaques in the past when he has ventured in this > territory. Fine - believe that if you will. However, you'll just end > up having discussions with yourself about God, or the number of angels > that can dance on the head of pin. The rest of us will go our merry > way, and talk about interesting stuff. > > Cheers > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > Dr. Russell Standish Director > High Performance Computing Support Unit, > University of NSW Phone 9385 6967 > Sydney 2052 Fax 9385 6965 > Australia [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Room 2075, Red Centre http://parallel.hpc.unsw.edu.au/rks > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > --
