(September 13, 2009 at 12:30 am)Eilonnwy Wrote:(September 12, 2009 at 10:35 pm)theVOID Wrote: Is there a case where permanent memory loss has ever occurred? And what were the findings in that example?
I don't know about permanent memory loss. I believe it's possibly but I don't know about specific cases. I have heard of cases where severe brain trauma can actually change how a person acts. I saw a billboard for some brain trauma therapy place and it made me think of this...if you changed your personality from trauma and also couldn't remember you past, would it make that past self dead?
The responses I have gotten so far are interesting. I still think I stand by my assessment that if you lose your memory and sense of self, then that self is dead even if the body isn't.
This also reminds me of reincarnation. I mean essentially you can't remember who you are in any of the lives, so what's the point? I will still be dead even if my "soul" exists again, but if I can't remember and I'm not the same person, then the me that is me right now is gone for ever and that's it. It's pretty much the same as no afterlife at all. Of course I don't believe in reincarnation, it's a ridiculous concept.
I don't think every aspect of what would be considered your 'personal mind' would be dead though, there is also the genetic aspect to contend with, but i agree for the most part, you would in a sense be dead to those familiar with how you were.
Then again it could be more like the computer and the Operating system. My machine is still the same, doesn't matter if it's running XP, 7 or Linux. The virtual characteristics have changed but the machine is one and the same. I assume our virtual mind works the same.
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