The Simulated Universe


	The Simulated Universe

Djiezes

8-24-2007 7:45 AM

1184 views

tags:

universe, simulation, silby, bostrom, solipsism, matrix, transhumanism, future, philosophy, literature

Djiezes says:

... In this article, I provide an exposition of the Simulated Universe argument and explain why some philosophers believe that there is a high possibility that we exist in a simulation. I will then discuss the type of evidence that we would need to determine whether we exist in a simulation. Finally, I will describe two objections to the argument before concluding that while interesting, we should reject the Simulated Universe argument.

This article is a critique on Nick Bostroms article Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

9 Comments |

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8-24-2007 9:34 AM

tidbit2

wow, the matrix.It's like david bohms holographic theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bohm#The_holonomic_model_of_the_brain

8-24-2007 4:06 PM

invictus

Awesome as usual, Djiezes.

8-24-2007 9:39 PM

pokkets

I've heard 'reports' that visiting aliens were interested in our 'software', which is the way our gene pool is described. (How it would have been described 100 years ago would be interesting.) The idea of a computer simulation, will no doubt be replaced with a more definite description, as we unravel the mystery of the universe. Reminded me of a poem ( As close as I can remember)
Dogs will scratch, because they've fleas,
Upon their backs to bite them.
While fleas so small have littler fleas,
And so ad infinitum.

8-24-2007 10:07 PM

pokkets

It also reminded me of Deep Thought, and Slartibardfast

8-25-2007 2:33 AM

lorigrace

You all are starting to catch on.

8-25-2007 4:18 AM

pokkets

There was also an episode of Star trek TNG, in which Moriarty, in a Sherlock Holmes simulation in the holodeck, developed apparent self awareness. They tricked him into a holodeck simulation of the ship, and let him escape with enough virtual fuel to reach any number of virtual starbases. Then the crew left the holodeck, unplugged the chip with the simulation, plugged it into a portable holodeck generator, and left Moriarty to travel in his virtual Universe,unaware that his reality was fictional.
This was done as a result of a promise the Captain had made Moriarty that he would do his best to find a way to allow him to escape the virtual reality, and enter ours. Fooling moriarty was the clos...

8-25-2007 6:42 AM

vampy2

Thank you Djiezes,have bookmarked for later reading.

8-25-2007 7:14 PM

Oortcloud

The "13th floor" is an excellent movie that uses this idea.

8-25-2007 7:45 PM

skwirlinator

We are Here!
We are Here!
WE ARE HERE!

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<div style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://www.clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="see clips that are hot right now"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_embed/b563b890-63a8-4ac0-9db0-2e6a068cd119/D56A5EEE-4700-45F0-BED8-CF72C8CE46EE/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html" href="http://www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html" style="font-size: 11px;">www.def-logic.com</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html"><P class="title">THE SIMULATED UNIVERSE</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html"><P class="main">By BRENT SILBY</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html"><P class="main">The Simulated Universe argument puts forward 
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            of the real universe. Everything, including people, animals, 
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            also extends further than Earth. The argument suggests 
            that all the planets, asteroids, comets, stars, galaxies, 
            black holes, and nebula are also part of the simulation. 
            In fact the <EM>entire Universe</EM> is a simulation 
            running inside of an extremely advanced computer system 
            designed by a super intelligent species that live in 
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