But what’s so special about the atoms? As I say, the proponents of both of the main positions on continuity tend to accuse the other of believing in souls. So here a believer in psychological continuity would say that you are suggesting that the atoms are carrying some kind of “spirit”.
Agree that it’s tricky. As I say, we have a “common-sense” description of what continuity means and how death will be permanent, but it falls apart in all kinds of hypotheticals.
We’re faced with just a few implausible or uncomfortable possibilities:
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If the pattern of brain structure = continuity, then it implies we’re all immortal; it’s just a matter of time before some atoms come together into the right configuration, in this universe or another. And, from your perspective, this will have happened instantly.
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We specify that it must be the same atoms. This actually doesn’t help because we could still say that eventually the specific atoms of your brain will come back together in a heat death universe. In fact all we’ve done is add the problem of needing to explain what’s so special about my atoms.
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Just say that continuity is an illusion. You, me, everyone, exist for a fraction of a second only, but have the illusion of continuity by virtue of inheriting memories.