It comes down to the philosophical question -- are you better defined by the pattern of matter and energy that represents you, or are you the matter and energy

It comes down to the philosophical question -- are you better defined by the pattern of matter and energy that represents you, or are you the matter and energy that represents you? I personally believe it's the former. I.e. if I had a terminal illness and I made a copy of myself (the same except healthy), I like to think I would be happy to let it carry on my life and work.