simulated reality

8/8/2019 Simulated Reality

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Simulated RealityPhilosophy Through the Centuries

BRENT SILBY

Unlimited (UPT)


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Simulated Universe

Philosophers propose the possibility that we exist inside a

simulation

Everything we see around us is part of an elaborate simulation,

running inside a super computer


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The Simulated Universe argument suggests that everythingispart of the simulation.

Planets, stars, comets, galaxies, blackholesall part of the

simulation

Simulated Universe


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Simulated Universe

How could it be possible?

1. It is possible for a computer to simulate anything that

behaves like a computer

2. Much like a computer, the universe is a system that follows

a finite, pre-defined set of rules

3. Because the universe operates according to a finite set of

rules, it follows that it can be simulated by a computer


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Simulated Universe

Philosophers such as Nick Bostrom argue that if it is possiblefor us to simulate a universe, then it is likelythat we actually

exist in a simulated universe.

Why?1. If it is possible (in theory) for us to build a simulated universe, then we will

probably do so in the future

2. Species that evolve inside the simulation will one day build their own

simulation

3. Species that evolve inside that simulation will one day build their own

simulation

4. This nesting of simulations can continue almost infinitely

5. Because of the infinite number of child universes, it is more likely that we

exist in one of the simulations than the one parent universe.


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Simulated Universe

How does it all work?

When you look at a computer running a simulated universe, youcannot view its universe on a monitor

It is notvirtual reality

It is not like playing Second LifeorThe Sims. There are nographics involved

Its all done with numbersimmensely complicated manipulation

of data structures

These numbers representthe laws of physics, energy and matterin the simulated universe


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Simulated Universe

As the program runs, the numbers are manipulated by the

program rulesjust as matter in the universe is manipulated by

the laws of physics

The data structures grow in complexity, yielding a growing

universe

Life evolves inside the simulated universe and eventually beings

emerge that can create their own simulated universes


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Simulated Universe

From the designers point of view the computer contains nothing

but data structures

But from the point of view of the inhabitants of the simulation, it

is all real


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Simulated Universe

It is important to note that the computer is not simulating every

single sub-atomic particle in the universe

Nick Bostrom points out that this would be infeasible and

unnecessary. It only needs to simulate local phenomena.

Distant galaxies only require compressed representationbecause they are too distant to distinguish individual atoms

We can take this idea further

Perhaps the entire simulation is compressed

The inhabitants interpretthe universe as being made from

atoms. After all, we cannot actually see atoms. We infer

their existence.


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Simulated Universe

Origin of the Simulated Universe argument

Frank Tipler proposed the idea in his 1994 bookThe Physics of Immortality

Tipler suggests that future beings will have the technology to

create simulated universes

Future beings will have an advanced morality, which will

compel them to recreate all beings who have existed

ProblemTipler is assuming the morality of future beings. It is possible

that future creatures will have serious moral problems with

recreating past beings.


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Simulated Universe

How would we know?

Search for cluesor perhaps easter eggs

We might detect imperfections in the simulation

In 2001, discovery of an ancient shift in the speed of light


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Simulated Universe

Discovery came from observations of distant quasars, scientists

detected a change in the fine structure constant--a ratio

involving the speed of light


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Simulated Universe

Another explanation

Theorists suggest that the space/time continuum may be

stretching in some way

This could result in a gradual change in the speed of light

Significant discovery because constants are unchanging and

defined by the laws of physics

Could this glitch be evidence that we live in a simulation?


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Video on Simulated Universe


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Simulated Universe

Problems with Simulated Universe arguments

1. Problem of Morality

Nick Bostrom (like Tipler) thinks future species will feel a moral

obligation to create simulated universes.

He thinks human existence is ofhigh ethical value, so creating

simulations with creatures like us will make the world a better

place.

This assumption is essential for the argument to work.


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Simulated Universe

But,

as mentioned earlier, we cannot assume future morality

Consider life on Earth

Animals destroy each other to survive

Members of the most intelligent species on Earth:1. Tell lies

2. Torture children

3. Kill animals

4. Pollute the environment

5. Kill each other out of greed


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Simulated Universe

Future species may have serious moral problems with

recreating this world.

This means that it may be extremely unlikely that we exist ina simulated universe

Therefore, the likelihood that future species will create a

simulation may be lower than Bostrom estimates


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Simulated Universe

2. This sort of argument clutters our ontology

Can we explain phenomena in this universe without positing theexistence of parent universes?

If so, the parent universes offer nothing and are unnecessary for

our model of the world.


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Simulated Universe

For reasons of economy we must reject the Simulated Universeargument. It clutters our world view and is unnecessary.


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Powerpoint by BRENT SILBYwww.def-logic.com

Produced at Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti

Christchurch, New Zealand

www.unlimited.school.nzFurther reading:

Bostrom, Nick (2002), Are You Living in a Computer Simulation,www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

Silby, Brent. (2007), The Simulated Universe, www.def-logic.com/articles/simulated_universe.html
http://www.def-logic.com/http://www.unlimited.school.nz/http://www.unlimited.school.nz/http://www.def-logic.com/http://www.def-logic.com/http://www.def-logic.com/

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