Simulated Reality
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Transcript of 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/