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Psychological trauma is still better than death. Besides you could ask the same question in reverse: Isn't there a real possibility that being subjected to cir

by Retra 7y ago

Psychological trauma is still better than death. Besides you could ask the same question in reverse: Isn't there a real possibility that being subjected to circumstances that allow us to perceive reality, psychological trauma could result? Or maybe every computer on Earth is right now a mind in a perpetual state of torture. I don't see how a brain in a vat shouldn't be any less objectionable, especially if we're relying on blind conjecture.

ThrowawayR2 7y ago
> Psychological trauma is still better than death. Is it? If the Mona Lisa were set on fire, there would be effectively zero hope of reconstructing it from the ashes. Can a sane original mind be reconstructed from insanity caused by severe trauma or extended sensory deprivation or dementia? There too, the pattern has been destroyed; there's effectively zero hope of restoration.
- emilfihlman 7y ago
  Who are you to decide what I choose to do with my body? Who are you to choose what are my values? You are not. I am. And I choose to live.
  - ThrowawayR2 7y ago
    > And I choose to live. Have you ever seen firsthand a person in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease? If life is so precious to you that you are willing to exist for eternity in such a state, far be it from me to tell you otherwise. May you enjoy the outcome of your choices.
    - AstralStorm 7y ago
      Choices can change. This would require some changes in laws on euthanasia obviously, nothing insurmountable. Presuming you would actually live in such a state even - perfecting this technology will require other ground breaking research, some of which might be able to handle Alzheimer's.
      - ThrowawayR2 7y ago
        > Choices can change. This would require some changes in laws on euthanasia obviously, nothing insurmountable. Sure but questions arise: "How much mental trauma/cognitive damage can a normal human mind sustain before it is no longer capable of comprehending its choices (or even the concept of "choice") at all?" "Will the brain-in-a-vat scenario exceed that limit?" > ...some of which might be able to handle Alzheimer's As I alluded to before, is it possible to unscramble an egg?
- Retra 7y ago
  You can assume being a brain in a vat would be torture, but I see no reason to assume it wouldn't be euphoria. Either way, life is better than death. Living in any state gives technology more to work with than turning to dust would.

by Retra 7y ago

ThrowawayR2 7y ago

> Psychological trauma is still better than death. Is it? If the Mona Lisa were set on fire, there would be effectively zero hope of reconstructing it from the ashes. Can a sane original mind be reconstructed from insanity caused by severe trauma or extended sensory deprivation or dementia? There too, the pattern has been destroyed; there's effectively zero hope of restoration.

emilfihlman 7y ago
Who are you to decide what I choose to do with my body? Who are you to choose what are my values? You are not. I am. And I choose to live.
- ThrowawayR2 7y ago
  > And I choose to live. Have you ever seen firsthand a person in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease? If life is so precious to you that you are willing to exist for eternity in such a state, far be it from me to tell you otherwise. May you enjoy the outcome of your choices.
  - AstralStorm 7y ago
    Choices can change. This would require some changes in laws on euthanasia obviously, nothing insurmountable. Presuming you would actually live in such a state even - perfecting this technology will require other ground breaking research, some of which might be able to handle Alzheimer's.
    - ThrowawayR2 7y ago
      > Choices can change. This would require some changes in laws on euthanasia obviously, nothing insurmountable. Sure but questions arise: "How much mental trauma/cognitive damage can a normal human mind sustain before it is no longer capable of comprehending its choices (or even the concept of "choice") at all?" "Will the brain-in-a-vat scenario exceed that limit?" > ...some of which might be able to handle Alzheimer's As I alluded to before, is it possible to unscramble an egg?
Retra 7y ago
You can assume being a brain in a vat would be torture, but I see no reason to assume it wouldn't be euphoria. Either way, life is better than death. Living in any state gives technology more to work with than turning to dust would.