Posted by John Tchoe on June 17, 19101 at 21:27:49:
In Reply to: Mind reducible to the brain? An argument against. posted by Noctlillucent on June 14, 19101 at 14:50:42:
You're uming that the mind is something which exists apart from the physical structure of the brain, that a copied brain would somehow retain its connection to this disembodied mind. That is a false umption and a mistaken interpretation of the mind as brain theory.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" had an episode which touched upon this scenario. A transporter accident produced two copies of William Riker, leaving one stranded on a planet for some years, before they were reunited by coincidence.
They were two separate entities who have the exact same memories up until the moment of the transporter accident, but after then, they acted independently to their surroundings with no knowledge of each other's existence.
The above is in accordance to the mind as brain theory.
: Consider this argument:
: Let’s ume that one’s consciousness is a product of the brain. If true, we can imagine a physically identical second brain, configured exactly as yours is now. This invokes no logically impossible feat or violation of any physical law.
: Now, would you be conscious as the second brain as well? If the physiological theory of the mind were true, the answer would appear to be ‘yes’. The fact the second brain is made of a different set of atoms shouldn’t make any difference because the atoms in your present brain are being constantly replaced, yet you continue to exist. Therefore, so long as the second brain is configured the same way as the first, you should exist in both.
: Here’s the problem. Suppose both brains are functioning and one brain is stimulated to create the sensation of severe pain, and the other brain is not stimulated, and so experiences no pain.
: Following this theory consistently, you should experience both severe pain and no pain AT THE SAME TIME? That is a logically impossible state.
: The physiological theory, then, is caught contradicting itself. And obviously no physical theory of consciousness is true if it can allow for its own contradiction.
: Comments?
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