Could you prove you were really an innocent person trapped in a guilty body?
2007-02-25 07:05:39 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I would hope I was in Houdinis body. Even though he never killed, he sure knew how to escape. But, I would at least stick around long enough for the Porterhouse steak I was supposed to get for my last meal.
2007-02-25 07:17:29 · answer #1 · answered by johN p. aka-Hey you. 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The trouble with this question is that if you change reality in one respect, you may or may not change reality in any number of other respects. You have created a fictional world in which you may or may not be able to prove you were an innocent person. So it is up to you whether I could prove my innocence, and hence what I should do. I can't answer your question: you tell me!
There are philosophical questions as to whether it is in principle possible to change bodies. You are implicitly assuming that you are an entity, for instance a mind or soul, distinct from your body. Many philosophers believe that you are effectively identical with your body, in which case you simply cannot change bodies.
If you can change bodies, you may not be trapped in your body. For instance, your soul may survive and go to heaven after your death, in which case the execution of your adopted body may be of no great concern to you.
To come down a little from the abstractions of philosophy I'd make two points. Firstly, you wouldn't have much chance within an hour of persuading the authorities to let you off bureaucracies don't work in such short timescales. Secondly, I suspect (from what I read in war histories etc.) that most people just before execution (or other certain death) shut off what is to happen and simply get on with any immediately necessary actions, such as writing appropriate last letters to relatives.
2007-02-25 15:25:57 · answer #2 · answered by Philosophical Fred 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suspect that this situation is frequently touched upon - every convict will make a statement regarding how every convict, regardless of the crime committed, will tell you that the penal institutions are full of innocent people.
Incidentally, it is highly improbable to have a "guilty body". Innocence and guilt are connected to, and by-products of, both mind and body. When a course of action is chosen (mind), the carrying out of the required action is entirely physical (body). Therefore, because the relationship between these two are symbiotic, the only place you are likely to find such a situation is in a work of fiction.
2007-02-25 17:29:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouild realize that I was having a dream that I woke up in the body of a condemned prisoner and wake up again only to go online and ask this question at yahoo answers.
2007-02-25 16:16:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gaurds would not listen to me, i am sure. I would be seen as the criminal.
I could try to prove it--give details about myself. But I doubt it would work.
It would be scary, and I would pray to go back to my own body before it was too late.
The prisoner would probably go into my body, and make an *** out of me to my friends.
2007-02-25 15:11:28 · answer #5 · answered by Rachael T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great thought provoking question. It is also a very scary question because you would not be able to prove very much at all in 1 hour. No time to prove that you are truely not guilty.Best you could do is say a prayer and all your goodbyes.
2007-02-25 15:22:28 · answer #6 · answered by PROUDJEW 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not try to prove anything at that point it would be useless. I would pray that as quickly as I arrived in the condemned man's body that I would leap back into my own body. BUT figuring there must be a reason this has happened...... I would pray for this condemned man for his salvation and healing. I would pray for mercy for him and for those all around this man. Know God would not comdemn me to such a fate. After offering up these prayers I would leap from him with full confidence that Jesus would be there to greet me as I pray for mercy for him in Jesus precious name.
2007-02-25 15:23:00 · answer #7 · answered by ruthie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jonah done lived in a whale, but I doubt that I could live in a prisoners body for even that last hour.
2007-02-25 15:24:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even if it could happen, no. The guards would expect crazy, last moment efforts to get away from dying. Would you believe someone who was in a hopeless situation and about to be executed? I wouldn't.
2007-02-25 15:11:38 · answer #9 · answered by ablis boy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would enjoy my last meal and go to my death with the expectation that I will be going to a better place. I think that even nothing would be better than this existence. I sure am glad life is not eternal. Fun question...
2007-02-25 17:31:56 · answer #10 · answered by Sereny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋