Re: Russell's book

From: David Nyman <david.nyman.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 07:40:06 -0000

Russell Standish wrote:

> > 2) RSSA vs ASSA - Isn't it the case that all 'absolute' self samples
> > will appear to be 'relative' (i.e. to their own content) and hence
> > 1st-person experience can be 'time-like' without the need for
> > 'objective' sequencing of observer moments? If the 'pov' is that of the
> > multiverse can't we simply treat all 1st-person experience as the
> > 'absolute sampling' of all povs compresently?
> >
> > David
> >
>
> I've lost you here. Maybe you need to expand a bit.

Why do we need to assume TIME as an ordering process for 'successive'
moments under the RSSA assumption? Isn't it the case that, under the
ASSA assumption, 1st-person experience would continue to appear
'time-like' (because of its 'relative' internal structure within each
'time capsule') without the need for a TIME postulate (i.e. Barbour's
position)?

David

> On Tue, Sep 12, 2006 at 12:52:25PM -0000, David Nyman wrote:
> >
> > Hi Russell
> >
> > I just received the book and have swiftly perused it (one of many
> > iterations I expect). I find it to be a clear presentation of your own
> > approach as well as a fine exposition of many topics from the list that
> > had me baffled. A couple of things immediately occur:
> >
> > 1) QTI - I must say until reading your remarks (e.g. re pension plans)
> > the possible personal consequences of QTI hadn't really struck me. If
> > QTI is true, there is a fundamental assymetry between the 1st and
> > 3rd-person povs vis-a-vis personal longevity (at least the longevity of
> > consciousness), and this seems to imply that one should take seriously
> > the prospect of being around in some form far longer than generally
> > assumed from a purely 3rd-person perspective. This has obvious
> > implications for retirement planning in general and avoidance of the
> > more egregious cul-de-sac situations. On the other hand, short of
> > outright lunacy vis-a-vis personal safety, it also seems to imply that
> > from the 1st-person pov we are likely to come through (albeit possibly
> > in less-than-perfect shape) even apparently minimally survivable
> > situations. This struck me particularly forcibly while watching the
> > 9/11 re-runs on TV last night.
> >
> > In effect, we are being presented with a kind of 'yes doctor' in
> > everyday life. Do you find that these considerations affect your own
> > behaviour in any way?
>
> I mentioned two examples in my book - retirement savings planning - I
> will be looking wherever possible for "lifetime" pension options. Of
> course from a QTI perspective, the value of these are limited by the
> estimated lifetime of the superannuation company.
>
> The second example is my attitude to euthanasia has changed.
>
> Beyond that, I suppose I no longer fear death. What I do fear is
> incapacitation, and so I weigh my risks of bodily damage in any
> action against the risks to personal liberty etc. by inaction. It
> probably does not change the decision matrix very much at all, however
> I can't see suicide bombing as a useful strategy under QTI.
>
>
> >
> > 2) RSSA vs ASSA - Isn't it the case that all 'absolute' self samples
> > will appear to be 'relative' (i.e. to their own content) and hence
> > 1st-person experience can be 'time-like' without the need for
> > 'objective' sequencing of observer moments? If the 'pov' is that of the
> > multiverse can't we simply treat all 1st-person experience as the
> > 'absolute sampling' of all povs compresently?
> >
> > David
> >
>
> I've lost you here. Maybe you need to expand a bit.
>
>
> --
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> may safely ignore this attachment.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> A/Prof Russell Standish Phone 0425 253119 (mobile)
> Mathematics
> UNSW SYDNEY 2052 R.Standish.domain.name.hidden
> Australia http://parallel.hpc.unsw.edu.au/rks
> International prefix +612, Interstate prefix 02
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Received on Wed Sep 13 2006 - 03:41:10 PDT

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