X-Message-Number: 2174
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: cryonics: #2171-#2173
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 93 0:52:50 PDT

Hi!

Unfortunately I had other commitments that evening which I could not escape.
Here is what I know about Churchland. As I recall her actual degree is in 
philosophy, but she has taken an empirical approach to philosophy, which
means in her case that she became very knowledgeable about the neurobiology
of human brains, and so by implication questions on the borders of philosophy
such as consciousness.

She's written several books now and I hope to review them in CRYONICS. As you
know, I've reviewed many books on that theme and (surprise!!) intend to review
more. My personal belief is that we will probably understand much more about
how our brain works, including memory, by 2000. This will, if nothing else,
let us zero in on just exactly what must be preserved and what need not be;
which will then help a lot to improve suspension procedures.

Sorry I couldn't attend the talk. Maybe Ralph Merkle himself attended, or some
other local cryonicist. I doubt that she had an answer to all our questions; 
neurobiology simply isn't at that level yet. But her views would be at least
as knowledgeable and interesting as those of the other writers on this subject
that I've already reviewed.
			Best, and long life to all,
				Thomas

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