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SOMA and the Nature of Consciousness

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
Any Frictional fans out there?

Going through a survival-horror phase for the season and just played through Amnesia and SOMA. The latter being exceptional in regards to raising questions of the nature of consciousness and what defines a ‘human’. If we could copy an individual consciousness through an innovative brain scan that projects itself forward, does it count as an original sentient entity? Does the copy have less value? So many interesting questions...
 

Gargovic Malkav

Well-Known Member
I'm very familiar with Frictional Games. Amnesia is a real classic imo. They're about to release a new game under that title if I'm not mistaken. SOMA was not as scary but had a very good story. The penumbra franchise was really good too, though the graphics look really ancient now.

About your questions: I don't know. It's science fiction. We don't know how such things would work in real life.
 

danieldemol

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
If we could copy an individual consciousness through an innovative brain scan that projects itself forward, does it count as an original sentient entity? Does the copy have less value?
It does not count as an original sentient entity any more than a copy of anything counts as an original, however the copy would be of equal value to the original
 

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
It does not count as an original sentient entity any more than a copy of anything counts as an original, however the copy would be of equal value to the original

Right, by definition it wouldn’t be original. The protagonist, Simon, just couldn’t wrap his head around the difference between copying and direct transference, even after he went through the process multiple times. The original Simon died in Toronto a century before the main events of the game.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
Any Frictional fans out there?

Going through a survival-horror phase for the season and just played through Amnesia and SOMA. The latter being exceptional in regards to raising questions of the nature of consciousness and what defines a ‘human’. If we could copy an individual consciousness through an innovative brain scan that projects itself forward, does it count as an original sentient entity? Does the copy have less value? So many interesting questions...
SOMA is a brilliant game. Loved it.

In terms of your question, you'd be making a clone. However, this is sci-fi and we have no idea if it's even possible.
 
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