First distinction
Even if you speak exactly the same way, share the same memories, or react in the same way as someone else, that alone does not mean that you are the same person. At Mind-Upload, we treat performance matching andidentity assertion as different levels in order to avoid blurring this difference.
Why is it difficult
| Question | Why is it difficult |
|---|---|
| If I could share the same memory, would it be me? | This is because the reproduction of memory and the continuity of experience may not be the same. |
| If there is only one copy, it is the person himself/herself | If two were created, it would be difficult to determine which one is the real person using the same logic. |
| Is it safe to replace it little by little? | Continuous transition seems intuitively strong, but it remains to be seen whether it is a sufficient condition. |
Difference between static copy and continuous migration
| Thinking | What to focus on | Remaining questions |
|---|---|---|
| Static copy | To copy a structure or information at a certain point in time. | If you have multiple copies, you won't know which one is the real person. |
| Continuous migration | To take over processes and interactions without interruption. | It is still unproven whether continuity is a sufficient condition for identity. |
Back to engineering, what do we want to test
Returning this point to engineering, it is not enough to simply look at whether things are very similar. It is necessary to examine the continuum of memory, values, learning history, and response to changes in conditions through pre-registered tests. In other words, rather than leaving the philosophical discussion as it is, we move toward definingwhat kinds of failures would cause us to suspend our claim of identity.
If you want to look at the introduction to test design first, Wiki: Identity Assessment and Continuity Tests is a supplementary course.