Suppose reincarnation is a real thing. Now what?
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bruto
Penultimate Amazing
of course if you're writing the rule book for the game you can write it any way you want, but there's at least the hint of a contradiction unless you modify the idea of what it means to "remember past lives." I mean, if i came back, my "past life" would involve rather large chunks during which I was married and during which that marriage occupied rather a central role in what constitutes my life. It takes some fabricating, I think, to arrange such an oddly selective memory.
Dave Rogers
Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through
The question is impossible to answer without one other factor: how did we get there from here? At present, most significantly, it is generally understood that nobody has a clear memory of any past life (putting aside the question of whether any of the accounts of past life memories are based on genuine, actual memories), and it is generally understood that these things do not apply to each person. In your scenario, if it were pre-existing then everything about the history of human culture would be completely different to how it is in this reality, so we don't have a realistic starting point. If a change occurred, would that change allow people access to memories of past lives that they don't currently have, or would it only take place on a going forward basis?
Without that, it's impossible to make any kind of extrapolation, except that some Buddhists I know would become even more insufferable, because they'd never let me forget they were right all along.
Dave
Beerina
Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions
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How do you know you don't owe more than you are owed?
In any case, the proposition deliberately sets aside karma. I would also question the utility of reincarnation if you have a complete mind wipe each time. Punishment does no good if you don't know why you are being punished. You just build a terrified, skittish personality.
Not exactly a proud achievement for the gods.
So we assume there must be some core personality passed through for repeated modifications. But what is the goal? To hog out from a rock a beautiful personality who lives peacefully and doesn't try to seek armed mastery over others?
I'd rather have a bunch of Gort robots running around zapping whoever initiates force against others.
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Dave Rogers
Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through
I remember Hill Street Blues addressing that one. Andy Renko went to a hypnotist to explore his past life, found that in every previous incarnation he'd been a beat cop or a foot-slogging infantryman, and ended up having to resign himself to an eternity of chasing after pimps and muggers. Great episode, and totally in character for Renko.
Dave
Dave Rogers
Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through
I would question the logical existence of reincarnation if you have a complete mind wipe every time. Without continuity of memory, what, precisely, is being reincarnated?
Dave
"...a thought experiment as the OP!"
Indeed.
Interesting inadvertent disclosure there gentlemen. IMO a thought experiment as an OP is fine fertile ground. So far in this thread, participation indicates some appreciation of the thought experiment OP... some books have been referenced...and yet those two quotes seem to find it remarkable/strange/ unusual or whatever ie 'Well it is Bubba".
That likely indicates disparate minds' views. I notice this in other (thought experiment) threads as well.
Often I will approach a topic as a thought experiment rather than choose a side. In the recent thread on so called False Flag incidents I said "hypothetically" how they might or might not function. Yet some members seemed to ignore "hypothetically" and continue responding as if I were taking a position and making an argument.
Further, I have tried opening other threads along lines of 'thought experiment', and seen limited success. However this reincarnation thread, and the recent UFO related thread, "To disclose or not disclose" have generated more interest.
Regarding success rate factors, in addition to topic quality, a common factor is that speculation is required. I suppose another factor is the way disparate minds see things. I'm not patting myself on the back, nor am I suggesting some others are less open minded.
I just find it interesting how some minds enjoy speculating, while others find a thought experiment to be remarkable/strange or whatever that inspires such remarks, ridicule etc. Some wont touch it other than sneeringly or with a drive-by grenade toss.
I imagine that response to this post may provide more examples of a range of views. That will be interesting and fun.
Is there already a thread about this, yet ?
.
Something.
Sounds like a 'something' which mind/memory are somehow parts of, during each life. Or if not like that, the something has a life of its own, at least.
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Dave Rogers
Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through
Yes, but what? Without continuity of memory, how is it possible to be aware of reincarnation, and without awareness of reincarnation how is it possible to define it as anything other than a coincidence of mental traits?
I think this is an interesting basis for speculation, and one that's been explored in science fiction, but it needs fleshing out to be worth discussing. Hence the "how do you get there from here" question, which would determine whether we're talking about alternate universes or potential futures.
Dave
Lukraak_Sisser
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The one thing it would probably do is make a caste system more widespread.
Sure, you are born into poverty now, but next time the lottery might put you somewhere rich, so why exert yourself now?
(most likely the reason why reincarnation was thought up in the first place, keep the poor in their place, it will be better in the next life. Honest. Would we lie?)
Sure, you are born into poverty now, but next time the lottery might put you somewhere rich, so why exert yourself now?
(most likely the reason why reincarnation was thought up in the first place, keep the poor in their place, it will be better in the next life. Honest. Would we lie?)
Dr.Sid
Philosopher
Lots of people honestly believe in reincarnation now. Lots of people honestly believe, that bad behavior will get them into hell. Yet in general, they still lie, steal and murder. Lollygag, if nothing else. So no, I don't think it would make a difference.
Aside from the problem of why assume that you would in fact be reincarnated has a human rather than a plant and or bug there is the issue of why assume that you would in fact be reincarnated has a discrete separate individual. In fact why assume personal survival at all. Could not "souls", if reincarnation is in fact possible, combine, divide, recombine in endless variety? Thus why assume that each "soul" is in fact a discrete entity that stays separate and alone after death to be reborn in a new body and to remain a discrete entity in that body for who knows how many incarnations.
And of course why assume that if you have the memories of a dead person that ou are in fact that person when all you may have is that person's memories and you are not in fact him / her.
And of course why assume that if you have the memories of a dead person that ou are in fact that person when all you may have is that person's memories and you are not in fact him / her.
So true it didnt even cross my mind as possible to 'get there from here" when I put memory of past lives and knowing all reincarnate in the OP.
Isnt that actually like our here and now 'reality' where reincarnation is rumored to be so but so far no one has connected any dots?
Seismosaurus
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Pup
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If there are any memories retained, how do I get protection from the slaves I used to own? It was legal back then so they shouldn't have a right to come after me. And don't I have a right to finally point out that guy who raped me when I was a poor seamstress in 1807 Paris and nobody would listen? It was against the law then same as now.
Dave Rogers
Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through
"Your honour, although the prosecution has demanded the maximum sentence of 30 years' imprisonment for this crime, I would like to offer the following circumstances in mitigation and request that this be commuted to a death sentence."
Dave
Dave
Emily's Cat
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What’s about this whistling roaring sound going past what I’m suddenly going to call my head?
Thank You
I have sometimes imagined a scenario much like that story. Andy Weir sums it up in one page. (the egg)
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As others have pointed out, I doubt that this would change behavior of individuals on a large scale.
I doubt that it would even change the beliefs of Muslims, Christians, and other non-reincarnation religions. Consider creationists that are able to shrug off any scientific evidence for evolution for example, or explain how the flood created all this geology that supposedly shows the earth is ancient.
The interesting thing would be the search for a mechanism as to how this discovered reincarnation works.
I think in this supposed world, the soul is about to leave the realm of religion, and belong to science.
Now that would be an interesting thing. A materialistic soul would be an amazing find.
I doubt that it would even change the beliefs of Muslims, Christians, and other non-reincarnation religions. Consider creationists that are able to shrug off any scientific evidence for evolution for example, or explain how the flood created all this geology that supposedly shows the earth is ancient.
The interesting thing would be the search for a mechanism as to how this discovered reincarnation works.
I think in this supposed world, the soul is about to leave the realm of religion, and belong to science.
Now that would be an interesting thing. A materialistic soul would be an amazing find.
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