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A review by lisarue
Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit
3.0
This book is hard for somebody not steeped in philosophical arguments and history. However, there were some parts that were almost too easy to grasp, as if Parfit expected to really have to work hard to make his case. I suspect this has to do with the book being written 30years ago, when probably Parfits peers and students hadn't all read volumes and volumes of science fiction.
For example, Parfit very carefully explains the concept of "teletransportation" and how a scan/duplicate/ destroy approach to teletransportation has implications for theories of self that involve a "soul". Well, duh, to put it crudely. I've read tons of science fiction with more interesting hypothetical technology and species, considering only the concept of self and identity. I'm thinking Vinge's "tines" species for one, Iain Banks' "ascended" species for another. But of course, these are books that were written after Reasons and Persons. It would be quite interesting to read a similar book today from an author familiar with sci- fi tropes.
For example, Parfit very carefully explains the concept of "teletransportation" and how a scan/duplicate/ destroy approach to teletransportation has implications for theories of self that involve a "soul". Well, duh, to put it crudely. I've read tons of science fiction with more interesting hypothetical technology and species, considering only the concept of self and identity. I'm thinking Vinge's "tines" species for one, Iain Banks' "ascended" species for another. But of course, these are books that were written after Reasons and Persons. It would be quite interesting to read a similar book today from an author familiar with sci- fi tropes.