Transportation And The Self
Philosophy : Thought Experiments Who are you? Normally, this seems a straightforward question, but the malfunctioning transporter can make us re-evaluate what it is to be "I". Imagine that transporters exist, and can create a complete replica of you (ignore how it might work scientifically for the moment). You get into the transporter in your home to get to work in London (there's no fun commuting even in this advanced era). Most days, you walk in and walk out at work, and you definitely feel like you. But today, you get into the transporter, and something seems to go wrong - you open your eyes again, and you're still in your room at home. However, unbeknown to you, the transporter has half worked - it has transported 'you' to the office, but forgotten to delete the initial version of you at home. In short, there are two versions of you - one in the office, and one at home. The question is simple: which one of the two is you?
Questions about thought experiments:
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