Ok, but we are discussing hypothetical scenarios and can define the hypotheticals as we like; we are not directly observing the posthumans and thus liable to be misled by what we see. You cannot be mistaken about something you’re making up! In short, you’re just fighting the hypothetical. I suggest that this is not productive.
Am i? Fighting the hypothetical is unproductive when you challenge the premises of the hypothetical scenario. Kaj Sotala’s hypothetical was “If all that remained of humanity were replicators who only cared about making more copies of themselves and might not even be conscious”. I pointed out that we are in no position to judge the future replicators based on our current understanding of humanity and its goals. Or what “being conscious” might mean. Does this count as challenging the premises?
Ok, but we are discussing hypothetical scenarios and can define the hypotheticals as we like; we are not directly observing the posthumans and thus liable to be misled by what we see. You cannot be mistaken about something you’re making up! In short, you’re just fighting the hypothetical. I suggest that this is not productive.
Am i? Fighting the hypothetical is unproductive when you challenge the premises of the hypothetical scenario. Kaj Sotala’s hypothetical was “If all that remained of humanity were replicators who only cared about making more copies of themselves and might not even be conscious”. I pointed out that we are in no position to judge the future replicators based on our current understanding of humanity and its goals. Or what “being conscious” might mean. Does this count as challenging the premises?