[ExI] Pascals wager

[Stathis Papaioannou]

On Wed, 5 May 2021 at 09:34, Hermes Trismegistus via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> The only way to scientifically test a theory regarding consciousness, such
> as the uploading theory, is to have a consciousness perform the
> observations of tests on itself or entities that are similar enough. If the
> consciousness cannot detect any effect or change whatsoever, then
> scientifically one must conclude that there was no effect on consciousness.
> If uploading was performed gradually such that simulated neurons gradually
> replace the biological ones through some connection, then the consciousness
> could observe any noticeable changes. In a proper upload(correctly
> simulates all the neurons and accompanying molecules), the subject cannot
> notice a change because a proper upload preserves behavior. Therefore there
> cannot be any observation that gives evidence that a proper upload does not
> preserve consciousness.
>
>
>
> The belief that uploading does not preserve consciousness then must stem
> from a conviction that there is some attribute to consciousness that is not
> observable, even to the subject herself. This is of course an unscientific
> belief, but many, even seemingly rational, people believe in such ethereal
> things. I think people like attaching mysterious attributes to
> consciousness because it makes them feel special, that they transcend the
> material world.
>
The most serious problem with the idea that there is an aspect of
consciousness which is not observable even to the subject herself is not
scientific, it is logical. A difference that is neither objective nor
subjective us no difference at all. If I had an injury requiring a part of
my brain to be replaced and I had the choice of an electronic implant for
$5000 or a magical implant for $6000, and knew that neither I nor anyone
else would be able to tell any difference between them, why would I choose
the more expensive option?

> --
Stathis Papaioannou
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