If your brain was slowly replaced neuron by neuron with electronic neurons, would you still be you?

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

The following question is a loose paraphrasing of a hypothetical thought experiment described by cognitive neuroscientist, Justin Riddle (PhD) in this video:


If your brain was slowly replaced neuron by neuron with electronic neurons that perform the same function, would you still be you? Would you still exist?

What if that electronic silicone robot brain was then later transplanted into a robot body? Would you still be you? Would you still exist?

[Budding Author]

I would say "Yes." Even if my brain was getting replaced by 2 - 3 neurons at a time. I'd still be myself. I've never really changed much apart from my physical appearance (which btw has changed almost every year, drastically)
If my childhood friends come and spend some time with me, they'll say that I'm the same me. I'd kinda proud of it actually. A lot of my friends have changed a lot overtime. I don't personally like it. I've always tried to stay the same no matter what. Whilst still making sure that I'm not missing anything.

[Jnapika D]

I think if neuron by neuron are replaced, then no, I won't be me because these neurons are responsible for our thoughts and actions, which in turn make us us. But if those neurons are replaced by a robot, that robot will be the same version as the new version of me that's created after the transplantation of the electric neurons.

[Bettny Andrade]

Yes, definitely.

Every cell in our body is renewed, naturally, every certain period of time, including neurons. The human body, as such, is a physical container, compatible for our soul, which in effect is who we really are.

[Juma Florence]

If the replacement process maintains my memories, traits, and consciousness,then it could be argued that I would still be myself.

[Rob Carr]

I think we wouldn't know unless we experienced it but even then it's hard to say.

In one sense this happens naturally all the time and we think nothing of it. I'm not the same "me" as I was five years ago, most of the cells in my body have been replaced since then, because of the experiences I have had I don't think or act the same way.

I think people being digitally copied is probably inevitable. But I doubt we will ever really agree whether the copy is the same person as the individual or not. A smart machine can copy perfectly but becoming different from the original person is inevitable if they have a real consciousness because of their experiences. There is no way to externally verify it properly when being too similar or too differently both indicate failure. Only they can define it for themselves. Even that though may be fraught. How many people feel like imposters in their own lives now? Imagine literally knowing you aren't the real you.

To cut a long story short - we will never know even if we could do it in real life.

[Nehap17]

Would my memories and experiences also replace exactly? I doubt it.. Those make me who I am today, and I'm afraid it will no longer be the real "me"

[Vane Manyenga]

The concept of identity and consciousness is complex. If your brain were replaced with electronic neurons while maintaining continuity of consciousness, some argue you might still be "you," but the philosophical debate on this topic varies.

[Agoms Collins]

If your brain gradually swapped its biological neurons for electronic ones, you might still feel like you, but there could be changes. Picture it like replacing parts of a car. At first, you might not notice much difference, but over time, it could change how the car runs.

Your brain is where your memories, thoughts, and personality live. So, if electronic neurons took over, they'd need to work like the original ones. But even small differences could add up.

Imagine your brain as a team of workers in a factory. If you swap out some workers for robots, the factory might still produce the same goods, but the atmosphere and how things are done could change. Similarly, electronic neurons might function like biological ones, but they wouldn't be exactly the same.

The big question is whether these changes would affect your sense of self. Some argue that as long as your memories and personality remain intact, you'd still be you. Others say the subtle differences might add up, altering who you are over time.

Think of it like changing the ingredients in your favorite recipe. Even if you use similar substitutes, the taste might change slightly. Similarly, with electronic neurons, the "flavor" of your consciousness might shift.

In the end, it's a philosophical puzzle with no clear answer. It depends on how much importance you place on the tiny details that make you who you are.

[Jane Gaskins]

If every one of my neurons were replaced with electric neurons, I do not think I would still be me. There would be a change at some point, and the being would become something different. Most likely, it would become AI at that time. It may still have my memories, personality, thoughts, and characteristics, but it would not be me.

[Risper Ouma Lisa Anyango]

You would still be you, provided you're conscious because being cincioiusm3ans you're alive. Even if you were conscious and your consciousness was transferred to a car, you would still be you but just in a different body. You will always be you until you are no longer conscious.

[Uma gupta]

If a person brain was replaced neuron by neuron then the person will not be same because it's the memory that's makes a person unique and all this information is stored in neurons if neuron are replaced then the identity of person will be changed .. It won't be the same

[Singer Karen]

Nope, as you said electronic neurons. What's so human about that? I do not think I'd be the same and even the thought of an electronic neuron bothers me. A neuron is a brain cell, meaning it's going to have a mitochondria, a nucleus and all other parts that make up a cell and somehow this is all going to be electronic? I'd be creeped by this idea but again no. You wouldn't be the same.

[Singer Karen]

Nope, as you said electronic neurons. What's so human about that? I do not think I'd be the same and even the thought of an electronic neuron bothers me. A neuron is a brain cell, meaning it's going to have a mitochondria, a nucleus and all other parts that make up a cell and somehow this is all going to be electronic? I'd be creeped by this idea but again no. You wouldn't be the same.

[Nessa Vee]

The idea of who we are and how we think is complicated. Some say if your brain were swapped with electronic neurons but you still felt like yourself, you'd still be "you." Philosophers debate this idea. If the switch keeps my memories, traits, and how I think, then some might say I'd still be me.