--- Stathis Papaioannou <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 28/06/07, Matt Mahoney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > So how do we approach the question of uploading without leading to a > > contradiction? I suggest we approach it in the context of outside > observers > > simulating competing agents. How will these agents evolve? We would > expect > > that agents will produce other agents similar to themselves but not > identical, > > either through biological reproduction, genetic engineering, or computer > > technology. The exact mechanism doesn't matter. In any case, those > agents > > will evolve an instinct for self preservation, because that makes them > fitter. > > They will fear death. They will act on this fear by using technology to > > extend their lifespans. When we approach the question in this manner, we > can > > ask if they upload, and if so, how? We do not need to address the > question of > > whether consciousness exists or not. The question is not what should we > do, > > but what are we likely to do? > > How does this answer questions like, if I am destructively teleported > to two different locations, what can I expect to experience? That's > what I want to know before I press the button.
You have to ask the question in a form that does not depend on the existence of consciousness. The question is what will each of the two copies claim to experience? -- Matt Mahoney, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=4007604&user_secret=7d7fb4d8
