FW: FIN insanity

From: Charles Goodwin <cgoodwin.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 09:52:54 +1200

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jacques Mallah [mailto:jackmallah.domain.name.hidden]
>
> >2) You would also be the same person if the surgeon made a new brain
> >identically to yours.
>
> I'm not sure what you mean here. The new brain would be
> the same as the
> old you, the old one would remain the same, the old one was
> destroyed, or
> what?

As far as I understand quantum physics, this is only true if the new brain is in the same quantum state as the old one - like atoms
in a bose-einstein condensate, they would then be literally, physically indistinguishable. However (also as far as I understand
quantum physics) it's actually impossible to create two macroscopic objects in the same quantum state, at least, it's impossible to
measure the state of one object accurately enough to create one which is idnetical in this sense (which is the only sense the
universe recognises). This does not, however, prevent the universe itself from creating two objects in the same quantum state, if
it's allowed to generate every conceivable arrangement of mass-energy - as may be the case in a single, infinite universe, and is
definitely the case according to the MWI.

Charles
Received on Mon Sep 03 2001 - 14:51:30 PDT