X-Message-Number: 25445
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 05:54:30 -0800
Subject: Transhumanism and Theory of Mind (to Scott)
From: <>

Dear Scott:

You wrote:

"Are you referring to transhumanists here? Is my desire to progress 
beyond my 'natural' life span 'laughably absurd'? If I define a 
longer life as desirable, why should I care if that definition has 
objective utility (whatever that means)?"

Your desire to 'progress' is not absurd, as long as you recognize 
that 'progress' is a word that has meaning only relative to your 
value system, which is itself the result of evolution. There is no 
such thing as absolute 'progress'. There is no 'higher state' of 
humanity to achieve. There are just states.

I want to survive and be happy. These desires were created by 
evolution. They cause me to want to modify myself. The modified 
version of me is not 'superior' or 'better' to the present version 
of me in any objective sense, it's just more who I want to be, i.e. 
a version of me that would make me happier.

You wrote:

"Also, may I ask ... which theory of mind would you say most 
closely aligns with your views?"

The identity theory of mind. But most identity theorists do not 
believe in qualia; at least, if you ask them, they will say no. But 
usually this is just a difference of terminology.

Best Regards,

Richard B. R.

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