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PAPERS/ARTICLES
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Roger Penrose,
Rupert Sheldrake, And The Future Of Consciousness (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Roger Penrose argues that consciousness must
be hyper-algorithmic (not-computable). Penrose suggested we study the brain
with a view to how macro-level quantum effects might take place there despite
the hostile (noisy, hot) environment; recent empirical developments in quantum
biology seem to support Penrose. Penrose says a hyper-algorithmic quantum
theory is needed. Rupert Sheldrake points out that contrary to traditional scientific dogma,
the universe may be non-entropic; serious theories (Big Bang; Cosmic Inflation)
by prominent living physicists seem to lead to such a conclusion. If Penrose (on consciousness) and Sheldrake (on
entropy) are both correct, then the future may bring a never-ending expansion
of consciousness rather than its extinction. KEYWORDS: Entropy; Energy;
Computation; Quantum biology; Determinism; Hyperalgorithmity; Algorithm; Kurt
Gödel; Quantum gravity; Cohomology.
Are
You (Almost) A Zombie? (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Algorithms do not seem to capture
"non-zombie" human experiences − e.g., red perceptions, sad
feelings, creative insights, or time-asymmetric decisions to struggle for
truth, justice, and world betterment. According to Roger Penrose, Gödel
non-computability or hyper-algorithmicity is a physical property of the conscious
mind. “Orch OR” is a hyperalgorithmic physical theory of
consciousness by Penrose and Stuart Hameroff that takes seriously the fact that
not all of mathematics is algorithmic. Although noncomputability has typically
been interpreted as bad news for "strong artificial intelligence"
attempts to emulate consciousness, Charles Tandy concludes that Orch OR and
hyperalgorithmicity could in principle lead to a "technological
singularity" and (Orch OR constructed) super-conscious trans-humans.
KEYWORDS: Artificial Intelligence; Computation; [Kurt] Gödel; [Stuart]
Hameroff; Hyper-Algorithmity; Orch OR; [Roger] Penrose; Process Philosophy;
Technological Singularity; Trans-Humans.
Educational
Implications Of The Philosophy Of Kenneth Boulding (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Educational Implications of the Philosophy of
Kenneth Boulding (1993 Ph.D. Dissertation by Charles Tandy, Ph.D.)
Revising Rawls: A “Force of Nature”
Original Position (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: John Rawls (1921-2002) analyzed the conditions of a just society and of
decent relations between societies. We piece together his various revisions of
his own work and present a new and original scheme of five (not two) principles
of a revised Rawlsian “justice as fairness” original position, listed in
lexical priority. This “Revised Rawls” is then used as a springboard toward
developing our own alternative position. Rawls’s conception of
“fairness” leaves out, in an important way, the injustices of nature. We show
that “almost now” is the opportune time for “almost universal peace” via
implementation of our non-controversial PFIT (Peaceful, Free,
Intentional, Transparent physical-social technology) proposal. Technological
humans have become a force of nature.
'Wild-West'
Versus 'Space-Age' Systems Science: An Extraterrestrial Prisoner's Dilemma?
(Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: A system may be structured so that even when
all of its actors make rational choices, the results are nevertheless
irrational/disastrous, both for each individual and collectively. Today’s
“wild” social-political system of Planet Earth represents such a (generalized)
Prisoner’s Dilemma of weapons and violence. But an Extraterrestrial Prisoner’s
Dilemma does not substantially exist at the present moment. Thus the task of
stable peace in extraterrestrial space – if we proceed RIGHT NOW at this unique
point in history – is doable. Perhaps our extraterrestrial offspring (i.e.
ALMOST ALL of our offspring in the LONG RUN) will be grateful because, at a
unique point in history, we ENFORCEABLY banned extraterrestrial weapons.
Letting The Dead Bury
Their Own Dead: A Reply To Palle Yourgrau (Troy
T. Catterson)
ABSTRACT: In his articles "The Dead" and
"Can The Dead Really Be Buried," Palle Yourgrau argues for the
reality of nonexistent objects. Yourgrau does this by arguing that the dead do
not exist and yet are real. In this paper Catterson claims that Yourgrau's
argument rests on a crucial premise: whatever no longer exists does not exist
at all. Catterson then argues that this premise can be shown to be false even
on an A-theory of time. He accomplishes this by outlining an A-theory that does
not require the past to go out of existence, and yet does not spatialize time.
Finally Catterson attempts to show on independent grounds why Yourgrau’s
original theory of time should be discarded in favor of a model of time in
which the past continues to exist and affect the present.
16
Candles For Childhood’s End: Outline Of Transmutation To Almost-Universal
Security And Prosperity (Charles
Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Dr. Tandy announces the end of humanity’s
childhood and the beginning of (almost) universal security and prosperity: 16
candles are lighting the way (or, the “GrinSmile2 Up To PFIT”
acronym). Four general areas of advancing technology (“GRIN”). Six specific
future capacities of unusual power and relevance (“SMILE2”).
Finally, a six-pronged proposal to nudge us toward survival and thrival: “Up To
PFIT” may put us “Up To” a “PFIT” future of (almost) universal security and
prosperity. Dr. Tandy has established a website for SEGITs: <www.segits.com>. SEGIT communities or
SEGITs = Self-sufficient Extra-terrestrial Green-habitat Intentional Transparent
[self-replicating] communities. Are SEGITs a key to humanity’s survival and
thrival?
Can
Death Be A Harm To The Person Who Dies? (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: According to this review of Can Death Be a
Harm to the Person Who Dies? by Jack Li (aka Jack Lee), the monograph
successfully espouses a new theory of harm. Harm to persons is neither the
thwarting of desires nor the deprivation of goods, but the impairment of
objective interests. The argument concludes (with respect to the person who
dies): death CAN be harmful (contra Epicurus); premature death is ALWAYS
harmful; and, posthumous events CAN be harmful. Other topics, including the
Lucretian Symmetry Argument, are discussed by Li/Lee; the reviewer explores the
concepts "death" and "personhood", sometimes disagreeing
with Li/Lee. However the reviewer believes the monograph deserves wide
readership.
Neither
Doomsday Nor Dystopia: Are We "Up To" A "Pfit" Future? (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Due to advanced technology our extinction
may be at hand — either in the literal sense of doomsday or in the functional
sense of dystopia. But the danger is also an opportunity; we need to take
advantage of the opportunity before it is too late. This paper explains how to
turn the danger to our advantage. Part One of the paper focuses on the past
evolution of our cosmos. Part Two focuses on the future evolution of our
cosmos. Part Three focuses on our present choices, projects available for
implementation if we want to prevent doomsday and dystopia.
Cryonic-Hibernation
In Light Of The Bioethical Principles Of Beauchamp And Childress (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: The first part of the present report
introduces the reader to the term "cryonic-hibernation." The second
part of the report summarizes "the bioethical principles” of Beauchamp and
Childress (B&C) based on their highly respected text. Part three considers
"cryonic-hibernation in light of the bioethical principles” of B&C. It
is concluded that the bioethical principles of B&C — 1) respect for
autonomy; 2) nonmaleficence; 3) beneficence; and, 4) justice — produce
congruent, rather than conflicting, prima facie obligations to the cryonics
patient. This four-fold congruence means that biomedical professionals have a
strong (not weak) and actual (not prima facie, but binding) obligation to help
insure cryonic-hibernation of the cryonics patient.
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Types
Of Time Machines And Practical Time Travel (Charles Tandy) 
ABSTRACT: Based on specified logical, ontological, and
other relevant considerations, it is concluded that in the very-long-run: (1)
forward-directed time travel capacity is highly likely; and, (2) past-directed
time travel capacity is likely. Four logically possible forward-directed, and
four logically possible past-directed, types of (hypothetical) time machines
are identified. Two different approaches (the "practical"; the
"bi-temporal") are utilized in attempting to characterize the meaning
of time travel. It apparently turns out that the concept of
"embedded-subjective time" (i.e. the embedded-temporality of the
human time-traveler, as distinguished from either merely-subjective time or
literal-wristwatch time) is especially helpful in characterizing whether time
travel did or did not occur in a particular circumstance.
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Camusian Thoughts About The Ultimate
Question Of Life (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: Albert
Camus (1913-1960) saw himself primarily as a creative literary artist (not as a
professional philosopher), but here I focus on his philosophical works. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus asks “Is
my life worth living?”; in The Rebel, Camus asks “How do I live
a meaningful life?” Choosing to live is a value judgment, a standard or limit
with implications for one’s relation to others. When I rebel against absurdity,
my action is on behalf of all. My individualistic act is an act of solidarity
or unity. Descartes had said: “I
think – therefore I am.” But for Camus, suffering is a collective
experience: “I rebel – therefore we exist.”
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The
UP-TO Project: How To Achieve World Peace, Freedom, And Prosperity (Charles Tandy)
ABSTRACT: The political structure of island Earth,
which is neither a Law of Peoples nor a Law of Persons, is unworkable. But at
this unique point in history it is both desirable and feasible to establish a
Terrestrial Law of Peoples (via the UP: Union
of Well-ordered Peoples). The
political structure of extraterrestrial Space, which is neither a Law of
Peoples nor a Law of Persons, is unworkable. But at this unique point in
history it is both desirable and feasible to establish a Treaty Organization of
peoples structured so as to necessarily ultimately generate an Extraterrestrial
Law of Persons (via the TO: Treaty Organization Acting for a Better
Cosmos).
This website
is sponsored by
Dr. Charles
Tandy <www.segits.com>
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