mbd_map 19: A Dedication homepage homepage forum lectures 1: A Word of Encouragement 2: Dar al-Hikma 3: Proclus' Elements 4: Reversion in the Corporeal 5: Mathematical Recursion 6: Episodic Memory 7: Mortality 7 Supplement: Classical Mortality Arguments 8: Personal Identity 9: Existential Passage 10: Precedent at Dar al-Hikma 10 Supplement: Images of Dar al-Hikma 11: Passage Types 12: A Metaphysical Grammar 13: Merger Probability 14: Ex Nihilo Probability 15: Noetic Reduction 16: Summary of Mathematical Results 17: Application to Other Species 18: Potential Benefits 19: A Dedication appendices works cited
 

Home - Welcome

Forum  (new)

Lectures

1

A Word of Encouragement

2

Dar al-Hikma

3

Proclus' Elements

4

Reversion in the Corporeal

5

Mathematical Recursion

6

Episodic Memory

7

Mortality

7s

Classical Mortality Arguments

8

Personal Identity
1   2   3   4  

9

Existential Passage
1   2   3  

10

Precedent at Dar al-Hikma

10s

Images of Dar al-Hikma

11

Passage Types

12

A Metaphysical Grammar

13

Merger Probability

14

Ex Nihilo Probability

15

Noetic Reduction

16

Summary of Mathematical Results

17

Application to Other Species
1   2   3   4  

18

Potential Benefits

19

A Dedication

Appendices

Works Cited



E-mail the author.

E-mail the webmaster.




.



 

Chapter 17
Application to Other Species


continued, Section 2 of 4


The Continuity Criterion, by Entity Class:

Restating the working definition:
Continuity:  "Continuity" will stand for "physical continuity."  This is the continuance of physical structures in a body over time.  Individual atoms may be replaced, but the replacement atoms must be of the same elements as the atoms lost, so that the structures retain their functional characteristics over time.


Inanimates:  Some inanimates lack long-term structure.  Sparks, clouds, aurorae — all transient phenomena fall into this category.  Other inanimates, such as crystals, passively retain their structure over time.  And some inanimates actively maintain, and even replicate, their structure.  As examples, we can note the autocatalytic, or "self-copying" chemistry of certain pre-biotic systems.  Amino-adenosine and a complex aromatic ester form a product which autocatalyzes in chloroform.  And micelles (charged polymers) of lithium hydroxide and octanoic acid sodium salt autocatalyze within an organic solvent.[1]
       Do inanimates satisfy the continuity criterion?  We can say that some do.

Eukaryotes/prokaryotes:  These single-celled organisms maintain the integrity of their living structures over time.  Some receive energy and nutrients passively.  Others actively obtain their sustenance through simple chemistry-mediated searches.  But regardless of the means, the end is the same:  all single-celled creatures satisfy the continuity criterion.

Multi-celled plants:  What is true of single-celled plants is true of multi-celled plants as well.  All multi-celled plants satisfy the continuity criterion.

Computers:  Computers are an odd case.  It may be interesting to see how they compare with the other classes of entities when judged by the same criteria.
       Computers passively retain their structure over time because they are composed of inert materials.  Those computers equipped with robotic appendages can replace parts which have failed, and thereby actively maintain themselves.  Additionally, John von Neumann[2] has provided a proof that computers can, in theory, maintain and replicate themselves without error, indefinitely.
       So by passive or active means all computers satisfy the continuity criterion.

Invertebrates:  What is true of single-celled animals is true of multi-celled animals as well.  All invertebrates satisfy the continuity criterion.

Vertebrates:  Again, what is true of single-celled animals is true of multi-celled animals as well.  All vertebrates satisfy the continuity criterion.

Mammals:  As with vertebrates generally.  All mammals satisfy the continuity criterion.

Great apes:  As with mammals generally.  All great apes satisfy the continuity criterion.

Humans:  All humans satisfy the continuity criterion.



Table 17.2 summarizes the results for the continuity criterion:

Table 17.2
Personal identity criteria, ordered by entity class
 
 Continuity
 Memory
 Subjectivity
 Humans
 all    
 Great apes
 all    
 Mammals
 all    
 Vertebrates
 all    
 Invertebrates
 all    
 Computers
 all   
 Multi-celled plants
 all    
 Eukaryotes/prokaryotes
 all    
 Inanimates
 some    

The column for continuity has now been filled in.  We can proceed to the next criterion of personal identity — memory.



next    Section 3 of 4


Chapter 17, Section 2 Endnotes

[1] Cristiano Batalli Cosmovici, Stuart Bowyer, and Dan Werthimer, eds., Astronomical and Biochemical Origins and the Search for Life in the Universe (Capri: Editrice Compositori, 1996) 424-25.
[2] See John Von Neumann, Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, ed. and completed by Arthur W. Burks (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1966).
 
Copyright © 1999

Wayne Stewart
Last update 4/19/11