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Behind virtual reality: How to tell whether our world is a simulation or reality?
In contemporary discussions of philosophy and technology, the simulation hypothesis has gradually become a hot topic. This hypothesis claims that the world we experience is actually a simulated reality, or an existence similar to a computer simulation. In 2003, philosopher Nick Bostrom proposed the simulation argument, which sparked widespread discussion about whether we are living in a simulation.
If a civilization were able to create a conscious simulation, it would be possible to produce so many simulated creatures that a randomly selected conscious entity would almost certainly be living in the simulation.
Bostrom's argument goes beyond theory and sparks discussions about the nature of human consciousness. He hypothesized that consciousness is not limited to biological brains, but that any system with appropriate computational structures and processes can form consciousness. This makes us wonder whether it is possible that our existence is actually just the result of an experiment by an advanced civilization.
The origins of the simulation hypothesis
In human history, there is no lack of thinking about the difference between phenomena and reality. From the metaphor of the butterfly in Zhuangzi's dream to the allegory of the cave in ancient Greece, these all reveal mankind's profound reflection on the nature of reality. As Plato said, our perception may be just an image, but the real reality lies deeper.
As for doubts about reality, as early as the fourth century ago, philosophers had already put forward relevant thinking. As Descartes said, whether human conscious experience can be subverted by external forces.
With the advancement of science and technology, various theories about digital physics have emerged, which have further promoted the development of the simulation hypothesis. Scientists and philosophers began to explore whether the universe is essentially a computational program, and even in such a hypothesis, human existence and consciousness are implicit in it.
Detailed discussion of simulation argument
Bostrom's simulation argument presents a trilemma, in which at least one of these three propositions may be true:
- Human civilization is unlikely to reach a level of technology capable of creating simulated realities.
- It is unlikely that a civilization capable of achieving these levels would create large amounts of simulated reality.
- Beings with experiences like ours are almost certainly living in a simulation.
According to Bostrom's inference, if the second or third proposition is true, then we can almost certainly believe that the background of current life is simulation rather than native life.
If we do not believe that we are living in computer simulations now, then we cannot reasonably believe that we will have descendants who will run large numbers of such simulations.
Criticisms of the Simulation Hypothesis
There are also many critics of Bostrom's simulation argument. Many philosophers have questioned the existence of simulated consciousness, arguing that simulated creatures may not have the same conscious experience as non-simulated humans. In addition, some scholars hold objections, believing that simulations cannot be so accurate that they cannot be deciphered. This has led physicists to question the practicality of simulations.
Some critics believe that this hypothesis cannot even be established from basic physical viewpoints, because the operation of the universe cannot be simply simulated.
The philosophical implications of the simulation hypothesis
Whether or not the simulation hypothesis is true, this theory has triggered a philosophical rethinking of consciousness, reality and existence. Scholar David Chalmers points out that if our mental lives are affected by the physical environment in which they operate, then the possibility of simulation further opens up thinking about alchemy and the view of reality.
Such thinking also brings to mind the question, does our true self exist in this simulation? Or is our consciousness just an elaborate calculation process? Deep in the soul, are there still human beings who desire to explore the infinite possibilities between virtuality and reality?
