Forever and Again

Necessary Conditions for “Quantum Immortality” and its Practical Implications

Abstract

This article explores theoretical conditions necessary for “quantum immortality” (QI) as well as its possible practical implications. It is demonstrated that QI is a particular case of “multiverse immortality” (MI), which is based on two main assumptions: the very large size of the universe (not necessarily because of quantum effects); and a copy-friendly theory of personal identity. It is shown that a popular objection about lowering of the world-share (measure) of an observer in the case of QI does not succeed, as the world-share decline could be compensated by merging timelines for the simpler minds, and because some types of personal preferences are not dependent on such changes. Despite large uncertainty about the truth of MI, it has appreciable practical consequences for some important outcomes like suicide and aging. The article demonstrates that MI could be used to significantly increase the expected subjective probability of success of risky life extension technologies, such as cryonics, but that it makes euthanasia impractical because of the risk of eternal suffering. Euthanasia should be replaced with cryothanasia, i.e. cryopreservation after voluntary death. Another possible application of MI is as a last chance to survive a global catastrophe. MI could be considered a Plan D for reaching immortality, where Plan A consists of survival until the development of beneficial Artificial Intelligence capable of fighting aging, Plan B employs cryonics, and Plan C is digital immortality.