Are we just a random collection of atoms?

[sasguru]

I believe so.
And if you think we're something more, what's your evidence?

[Moscow Mule]

I think, therefore I am.

[shaunbhoy]

I believe so.

You certainly are. Anything that was put together, without the "random" element being allowed such free rein, would surely have turned out a darned sight more logical and interesting than you.

HTH

[SizeZero]

Where is Chico when Sas needs him?

[BlasterBates]

Thought experiment:

Lets say we replace one atom of you. Would you notice that? ...I think not

So lets say we go round and replace one atom at a time....would you notice that?...no

Now we've replaced all your atoms, and we built a new you with atoms we took out, and put them exactly in the same place...OK

Which is you, the one whose atoms have been replaced or the new constructed you, using the old atoms?

[Moscow Mule]

Thought experiment:

Lets say we replace one atom of you. Would you notice that? ...I think not

So lets say we go round and replace one atom at a time....would you notice that?...no

Now we've replaced all your atoms, and we built a new you with atoms we took out, and put them exactly in the same place...OK

Which is you, the one whose atoms have been replaced or the new constructed you, using the old atoms?

Note to self - RTFQ.

It's the one which is self aware. If both are self aware, it's both of them.

[Bunk]

Thought experiment:

Lets say we replace one atom of you. Would you notice that? ...I think not

So lets say we go round and replace one atom at a time....would you notice that?...no

Now we've replaced all your atoms, and we built a new you with atoms we took out, and put them exactly in the same place...OK

Which is you, the one whose atoms have been replaced or the new constructed you, using the old atoms?

For gods sake don't make a second Sas, one's bad enough.

[mudskipper]

The alternative is the teleological argument - the idea that something as complex as life couldn't have happened randomly, so there must be some 'creator'.

I'm on the fence meself...

[mudskipper]

Thought experiment:

Lets say we replace one atom of you. Would you notice that? ...I think not

So lets say we go round and replace one atom at a time....would you notice that?...no

Now we've replaced all your atoms, and we built a new you with atoms we took out, and put them exactly in the same place...OK

Which is you, the one whose atoms have been replaced or the new constructed you, using the old atoms?

It's a bit like getting older. I'm older than I was when I started typing this message, but the difference is imperceptible. The difference tomorrow will be negligible. But over a decade there's a noticeable difference. So which nano-second was it where I got old?

[Moscow Mule]

It's a bit like getting older. I'm older than I was when I started typing this message, but the difference is imperceptible. The difference tomorrow will be negligible. But over a decade there's a noticeable difference. So which nano-second was it where I got old?

It was that one, just gone. Grandad.