Reply #13: I think . . .

[Richard D]

. . . it's more that there is no one there to feel anything. I have mixed feelings about this, as I'm sure many do. It all hinges on who or what is perceiving. Is it possible for a creature with no higher cerebral functions to be present and conscious. What is the function of the huge amounts of nerves in the heart and in the belly. Some think that these are two additional "brains". Out there, but something that will be looked into much in the future.

The location of the 'self', in fact what the "self" is is simply not scientifically known. Is the self created in the brain, or is the brain simply a tool for the self to use while it has a body.

My personaly feeling is that death by starvation and dehydration isn't all that bad. Beats a slow death from an accident, burns, cancer, etc. Plus, with Terri's case there is nothing (no one?0left to interpret the sensations.