I think Bob’s decisions are tenable, but the language he uses to defend them is a little confused. I think that on further reflection, Bob will realize that he doesn’t exactly care about “me” or “not-me” as he has so far understood those terms, but about something that closely corresponds in most circumstances. The cryonics survivor might “technically” be Bob, but Bob doesn’t really care and that’s why he prefers charitable giving.
If this is correct, then once Bob understands what he does actually care about, he will face a terminological decision. He can revise his definition of personal identity and then care about “me” versus “not-me” as defined in these new terms. Alternatively, he can keep using pronouns in the old way, say “it’s not ultimately about personal identity”, and go on caring about this other thing that roughly corresponds to personal identity. This terminological decision needn’t be made in any hurry(footnote); more important matters should command Bob’s attention first. Like explaining his decision to Carrie.
Footnote: cards on table, I think the latter alternative makes for less confusion in discussions. Also, I am Bob.
I also have doubts about the felt need to have a nice simple boundary between cases in which one strongly envisions/empathizes-with the future life episodes and cases in which one weakly does so. Why does the pattern of concern have to be simple?
I think Bob’s decisions are tenable, but the language he uses to defend them is a little confused. I think that on further reflection, Bob will realize that he doesn’t exactly care about “me” or “not-me” as he has so far understood those terms, but about something that closely corresponds in most circumstances. The cryonics survivor might “technically” be Bob, but Bob doesn’t really care and that’s why he prefers charitable giving.
If this is correct, then once Bob understands what he does actually care about, he will face a terminological decision. He can revise his definition of personal identity and then care about “me” versus “not-me” as defined in these new terms. Alternatively, he can keep using pronouns in the old way, say “it’s not ultimately about personal identity”, and go on caring about this other thing that roughly corresponds to personal identity. This terminological decision needn’t be made in any hurry(footnote); more important matters should command Bob’s attention first. Like explaining his decision to Carrie.
Footnote: cards on table, I think the latter alternative makes for less confusion in discussions. Also, I am Bob.
I also have doubts about the felt need to have a nice simple boundary between cases in which one strongly envisions/empathizes-with the future life episodes and cases in which one weakly does so. Why does the pattern of concern have to be simple?