Finnigan234 — LessWrong

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You're absolutely right to point out that this is speculative I state up front that it's a hypothesis, not a proven model. The Terminal Recursion Hypothesis doesn’t claim to explain a common or well-documented phenomenon, but rather explores a possible interpretation of what the brain might do in a death scenario. While ‘life flashing before your eyes’ is anecdotal, there’s evidence for time distortion, vivid memory recall, and immersive mental experiences during trauma. I propose recursion as a potential mechanism the brain might engage in not because it’s efficient or practical, but because it feels like survival, even if it's ultimately futile. Thanks for the constructiv criticism, it helps me strengthen the idea or know where it falls apart

Finnigan234's Shortform

Finnigan234

7mo

This is a special post for quick takes (aka "shortform"). Only the owner can create top-level comments.

Terminal Recursion: A personal hypothesis of consciousness during death

Finnigan234

7mo

Note: This is my original hypothesis, which I call Terminal Recursion. I'm sharing it to explore feedback, not claiming it as a proven model. I'm 16 and still developing my understanding, so thoughtful criticism is very welcome.

The Terminal Recursion Hypothesis proposes that at the moment of death the human brain initiates a comprehensive and immersive replay of the individuals life experience. This process is much different from the fleeting "life flashes before your eyes", I theorize it to be rather a detailed, real time reconstruction of memory, the mind subconsciously combs through the entirety of one's past in a last desperate attempted to locate a path yo survival. (like when falling and... (read 650 more words →)

Finnigan2347moQuick Take

Terminal Recursion – A Thought Experiment on Consciousness at Death

I had a post recently rejected for being too speculative (which I totally understand!). I'm 16 and still learning, but I'm interested in feedback on this idea, even if it's unprovable.

What if, instead of a flash of memories, the brain at death enters a recursive simulation of life, creating the illusion that it’s still alive? Is this even philosophically coherent or just a fancy solipsism trap? Would love your thoughts.

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