X-Message-Number: 2700 Date: 24 Apr 94 23:28:36 EDT From: Michael Riskin <> Subject: CRYONICS: Philosophy Ettingers use of the phrase "self circuit" interested me. Concerning the oft debated free-will/ determinism question, I hypothesized 20 years ago in a graduate school paper that there existed an as of yet undiscovered "organ of will". Like ones heart, this is a structure all normal beings are born with, with varying degrees of potential. It can develop and grow, or conversely, atrophy. To the degree that one takes a normal organ and nurtures it, one will have a greater ability to create action options outside of those likely dictated by cause and effect. The self that we hope will come back when we reanimate....Many discussions of this seem to attempt to reduce the meaning of self to a few basic definitions but keep encountering the unacceptable conclusion (at least to ones ego) that these reductions are inevitably computer compatible. These typically include such as "values, memories, skills" and tend to be of absolute or black/white nature. My sense of self derived from introspection is a dynamic being in an unending gray state of relatively supportive or conflicted information and values and memories....the never ending ending process of attempts at integration in my behalf. When we talk about reanimating and reentry, anyone would probably choose to come back not only free of the disease that deanimated them, but of any other weakness in the organic structure, let alone a brand new artificial body. But....do you want to come back free of what we now call "mental illness?". Those bothersome "Mental illnesses" of the DSM 3R category such as mood disorders, anxieties, or gender identity conflicts are also part of what we conceive of as our "self" on a day to day basis. Would it not be confusing to awaken with those gone? Who among us does not at some time or level self identify at least partly with our doubts, or insecurities ? Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=2700