This paper examines the concept of uploading one’s consciousness on to a computer, and its role in personal identity. I first examine the technology behind uploading, and the likely timeline for that technology to become widespread. Then taking uploading as a given, I examine our intuitions about how we will interact with these uploads on a daily basis. Then, I argue that Derek Parfit’s account of survival and identity is the one best suited for a post-upload world. After explaining the benefits of Parfit’s view in this world, I defend Parfit against criticisms by Eric Olson, and Susan Schneider. Finally, I show why animalism and four-dimensionalism are not as strong of accounts of personal identity as Parfit’s view, in a world where uploading is a reality.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CLAREMONT/oai:scholarship.claremont.edu:cmc_theses-2064 |
| Date | 01 January 2015 |
| Creators | Weiss, Kyle D |
| Publisher | Scholarship @ Claremont |
| Source Sets | Claremont Colleges |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | CMC Senior Theses |
| Rights | © 2014 Kyle D. Weiss, default |
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