If you replace one neuron at a time with a functionally identical silicon chip, an external observer would not notice any change in behavior, but from the subjective point of view of the original organism, death might occur at each replacement—the subjective quality of experience cannot be preserved even if all external behavior is preserved.

normativepending

Speaker

Steven Pinker

Evidence Quote

“every last neuron is replaced by a chip uh you're dead sub subjectively even though your body is still you know making noise”

Source

David Deutsch & Steven Pinker (First Ever Public Dialogue) — AGI, P(Doom), & The Enemies of Progress— Joseph Noel Walker
Created: 8/12/2026, 10:21:48 PM

My Notes

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