- Our not wanting to die is a bit of irrational behavior selected for by evolution. The universe doesn’t care if you’re there or not. The contrasting idea that you are the universe is mystical, not rational.
- The idea that you are alive “now” but will be dead “later” is irrational. Time is just a persistent illusion according to relativistic physics. You are alive and dead, period.
- A cyber-replica is not you. If one were made and stood next to you, you would still not consent to be shot.
- Ditto a meat replica
- If you believe the many worlds model of quantum physics is true (Eliezer does), then there already are a vitually infinite number of replicas of you already, so why bother making another one?
Terminal values and preferences are not rational or irrational. They simply are your preferences. I want a pizza. If I get a pizza, that won't make me consent to get shot. I still want a pizza. There are a virtually infinite number of me that DO have a pizza. I still want a pizza. The pizza from a certain point of view won't exist, and neither will I, by the time I get to eat some of it. I still want a pizza, damn it.
Of course, if you think all of that is irrational, then by all means don't order the pizza. More for me."
Eating icecream is not rational either, it's just something we want. If someone really truly does not want to live than dying is rational. The question is, does you father want to live? I will speculate that while trying hard to convince him you labeled dying as "wrong", and set up the framework for his rebuttal.
Reverse stupidity...
Again, just ask whether he want to be alive tomorrow; this is objective.
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I think you replied with pretty much the same arguments, I wrote above before reading yours. Posted for the record and for support :)