3 ms·
The consciousness living in my body at that point may very well be happy, but that consciousness would not be me. I'd be gone, except perhaps in rare instances
by nanolith 3y ago
The consciousness living in my body at that point may very well be happy, but that consciousness would not be me. I'd be gone, except perhaps in rare instances of lucidity.
Sure, there is a Ship of Theseus argument to be had here, but I am very much opposed to being a burden on my loved ones, and if nothing were to change with my mind, that opposition would remain. I've seen first-hand the suffering that Alzheimer's inflicts on loved ones, and that's not something I would EVER consent to while in my right mind. The very idea horrifies me.
That the alien consciousness that would be inhabiting my body at that point doesn't want to die, and holds a few of my memories, is of little consequence to me. Even if this experience is pleasant, at that point, it's not my experience -- what little of "me" is left to experience it -- that I care about.
- danielheath 3y agoIf the old you is already dead - why should it get to decide whether or not to kill the new one, which wants to go on living.
- nanolith 3y agoIt's not about me, it's about the trauma that my husk causes to loved ones. I'm a firm believer in euthanasia. I should get the choice while I am able to make that choice. If future me had the capacity to choose, future me would choose the same.
- surfaceofthesun 3y agoI’ve observed Alzheimer’s take away memories, dignity, and personality from multiple loved ones. I’m unsure whether it’s worse for the affected individual or the loved ones around them. That uncertainty leads me to the same conclusion as you. COVID brain fog gave me some perspective around the recognition that one’s brain is inexplicably not working as expected. Existing in that state of frustration for years is nightmarish.