The Complexities of Quantum Teleportation: Is a Teleported Clone 'You'?

Quantum entanglement and teleportation have long fascinated scientists and the general public alike, with the potential to revolutionize communication and even transportation. One intriguing question arises: if you were to use quantum entanglement to teleport a human, would the clone created from this transferred data be truly 'you' or just an exact copy?

Understanding Quantum Entanglement and Teleportation

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle is fundamentally linked to the state of another, no matter the distance between them. This interconnectedness raises the possibility of creating a "Star Trek" transporter device that can disassemble a person, create a precise map of their existence, and then reassemble them elsewhere. However, the implications of such a device are far more complex than this straightforward description suggests.

The Brain-Dead Copy Argument

A brain-dead copy suggests that a person created through teleportation would be nothing more than a mere replica. There is more to the personality, mind, and soul of a living being than just a physical reconstruction. As we revisit the idea of teleportation, it is important to consider that a successful teleportation would require not just the recreation of the body but also the transfer of the subspatial life force. This life force would need to be re-integrated with the physical form at the exact same time.

Reassembling the Self

Even if teleportation could be achieved using a device similar to the one in Star Trek, the result would not be a continuation of your identity. Instead, the new person would be an exact copy of you, identical to you in every respect, including all the history you have accumulated. However, this copy would be composed of different molecules and a different mass, making it a different individual, albeit one that is a clone of sorts.

In the Star Trek universe, their explanation for the transporter technology involves disassembling the person, creating a "map" of their existence, and then reassembling them from atomic matter at a different location. But what happens when this information is used multiple times? If a person is teleported and reassembled in multiple locations, you end up with multiple individuals, each a perfect clone but with no connection to each other. Which one is real? The answer is that none of them are, as each clone is a separate individual with no ongoing connection to the real you.

This situation raises profound questions about personal identity. If atoms are scattered and there is no ongoing life force, does "you" still exist? The concept of personal identity becomes particularly challenging to define in such a scenario. The language and concepts we use to describe identity, including phrases like "you" and "really is," have never been tested under these conditions. Therefore, whether a teleported clone is truly 'you' depends on your understanding of 'you' and 'really is,' which are not clearly defined in current language and philosophy.

Conclusion

While the idea of quantum teleportation is intriguing, the challenges and implications are profound. The potential for a brain-dead copy, multiple clones with no ongoing connection to the original, and the complex nature of personal identity all highlight the need for a robust philosophical and scientific discussion. Until we can fully understand these concepts, it remains a philosophical and speculative question, rather than a practical one.

Even if quantum teleportation becomes a reality, we may not know the answers to these questions until it actually happens. For now, it remains a fascinating subject for discussion and exploration in both science and philosophy.