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Fusing persons

Author
Affiliation

David W. Agler

The Pennsylvania State University

Abstract
Slides for Metaphysics.

Fusing persons

Composition

  • In metaphysics, there is a discussion of composition.
  • This discussion asks “what needs to happen for multiple objects to create a new, composite object?”
  • We saw how persons can undergo fission, but can they undergo fusion?

What?

It is not clear what we are asking. Let’s try to be precise:

ImportantPerson fusion qustion

If \(A\) and \(B\) are distinct persons \(A\neq B\) at \(t_1\), is it possible to create a new person \(C\) at \(t_2\) where (1) \(C\neq A\) and \(C\neq B\) (that is, \(C\) is not one of the surviving persons) but (2) \(A\) and \(B\) both survive (presumably as parts of \(C\))?

graph LR
A("A")
B("B")
C("C")
A --> C
B --> C

Conditions for yes

  1. A new person \(C\) needs to be created (add to stuff in the universe).
  2. Not just a collection of two persons.
  3. \(C\) needs to be composed of \(A\) and \(B\)

Body fusions

Contact

Take the bodies of \(A\) and \(B\) and have them touch (contact).

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

No.

We need something stronger.

Weak fastening

Take the bodies of \(A\) and \(B\) and tie them together with ropes. Now they are hard to pull apart.

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

No.

We need something stronger.

Strong fastening

Take the bodies of \(A\) and \(B\) and stitch them together. Now we can’t take them apart with damaging them.

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

No.

We need something stronger.

Shared parts

Take the bodies of \(A\) and \(B\) and have them share organs, e.g., heart, kidneys, lungs.

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

No.

We need something stronger.

Shared control

Take the bodies of \(A\) and \(B\) and put \(A\) inside \(B\) so \(A\) can control \(B\). \(B\) still has control. Let them fight for control when they disagree.

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

Initially, it seems like two people in one body but no new third person \(C\). But, maybe they will fuse into one person.

We need something stronger.

Hemisphere and transplant

Take the brains of \(A\) and \(B\), get the LH of \(A\) and RH of \(B\). Then connect them together into a single brain.

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

Maybe? We have a new brain \(C\), and presumably \(A\) and \(B\) survive, but it is unclear if they survive as “persons”.

Super brain

Take the brains of \(A\) and \(B\), separate all the hemispheres and then stitch them together into a superbrain that has four hemispheres..

ImportantHas fusion occurred?

Maybe? One new brain \(C\), and presumably \(A\) and \(B\) survive (if the person just is their brain).

Psychological fusions

What can we fuse?

The general question about fusing people from the psychological perspective is what can we fuse?

Memory

  1. Take Tek and Liz.
  2. Pour the memories of Tek into that of Liz.
  3. Now we have Tiz (memories of both Tek and Liz)

Our memory does not need to be consistent since we often have conflicting memories.

Desires, values, characteristics

It is sometimes claimed that we can only fuse some characteristics.

  • I like to run on MWF
  • You like to lift on Tu/Thurs

Our fusion: run on MWF, lift on Tu/Thurs

Conflicting characteristics

It is claimed that when characteristics / values conflict, the dominant characteristic would destroy the weaker characteristic.

  • You love to dance.
  • I’m indifferent to it.

Fused person loves to dance.

Equally strong beliefs

In other cases, it isn’t clear what would happen.

  • You love Trump.
  • I love Biden.

Some claim that we would just waffle back and forth, be horribly conflicted, or completely apolitical.

No survival thesis

One view on the fusion question is the following:

ImportantNo Survival Thesis?

No one ever survives psychological fusion.

Problem

Problem 1: It seems we could fuse together some psychological features:

  1. Memories
  2. Characteristics that don’t conflict.

Problem 2

Suppose you have a bad habit (or personality trait). You want to replace it, e.g., smoking, anger, sad memory, hyperactivity.

graph LR
A("You (bad habit)")
D["Bad habit remover"]
B("You (bad habit removed)")
A --> D
D --> B

NoteExercise

Would you survive?

Continued

You want some good habits that you lack. You want to add it, e.g., more social, courageous, hard worker, etc.

graph LR
A("You (normal person)")
D["Good habit adder"]
B("Enhanced you?")
A --> D
D --> B

NoteExercise

Would you survive?

Results

  1. You can survive the removal of a bad habit
  2. You can survive the addition of a good habit.

In both cases, you survive. These changes are commonplace:

  • Medications
  • Hypnosis
  • Therapy

Fusion

  1. Tek has a lot of good characteristics you want.
  2. You have a lot of good characteristics Tek wants.
  3. Putting you together would destroy bad characteristics you both want to remove.

graph LR
A("You")
B("Tek")
D["Fuser"]
E("You-Tek")
A --> D
B --> D
D --> E

NoteExercise

Do you and Tek survive as a new person?