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Cryonics: Traps and transformations
1Philosophy Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Bioethics
|March 1, 2024
Summary
Cryonics offers future reanimation but presents significant risks. This analysis argues against its prudential justification, highlighting potential negative outcomes and the uncertainty of future benefits.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Future Studies
- Decision Theory
Background:
- Cryonics involves preserving legally deceased individuals for future reanimation.
- A common argument posits cryonics as a low-risk, high-reward strategy.
- This strategy suggests cryonics is a weakly dominant choice compared to not undergoing the procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the prudential justification of cryonics.
- To challenge the 'no-risk bet' argument for cryonics.
- To examine the potential negative consequences and uncertain benefits of cryonics.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of the standard argument for cryonics.
- Game-theoretic evaluation of cryonics as a decision strategy.
- Assessment of the prudential risks and benefits associated with cryonics.
Main Results:
- Cryonics is not a no-risk bet due to a non-negligible chance of an inescapable, negative state.
- The potential for a transformative future experience complicates the justification of reanimation benefits.
- The standard argument for cryonics' prudential justification is found to be insufficient.
Conclusions:
- Cryonics may lead to an undesirable, inescapable situation, negating its 'no-risk' claim.
- The profound uncertainty of future experiences diminishes the prudential grounds for choosing cryonics.
- The standard argument fails to establish cryonics as a prudentially justified decision.
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