Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
This paper utilizes the frameworks, terms, and methodology used by David Chalmers in his recent book “Reality+”, along with ancient Chinese philosophers Zhuangzi and Mozi in order to make an argument for why we ought to believe that we are currently living in a simulation while at the same time withholding judgment on the metaphysical reality of whether or not we are currently living in a simulation. The argument uses Chalmers’ five different concepts of reality along with his own views of how being in a simulation would not negatively impact our currently held beliefs, especially in regards to language and ethics, but also in regards to epistemology and metaphysics. This is used in tandem with Zhuangzi’s perspectivalism and Mozi’s accounts of ghosts to argue that a belief held now, before conclusive research has been found in regards to the metaphysics of whether we are in a simulation or not, provides a benefit to us without negatively impacting us.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Andrew Kissel
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Philosophy and Religious Studies
College Affiliation
College of Arts & Letters
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Disciplines
Epistemology | Philosophy
Upload File
wf_yes
Included in
Believing In Simulation Theory
This paper utilizes the frameworks, terms, and methodology used by David Chalmers in his recent book “Reality+”, along with ancient Chinese philosophers Zhuangzi and Mozi in order to make an argument for why we ought to believe that we are currently living in a simulation while at the same time withholding judgment on the metaphysical reality of whether or not we are currently living in a simulation. The argument uses Chalmers’ five different concepts of reality along with his own views of how being in a simulation would not negatively impact our currently held beliefs, especially in regards to language and ethics, but also in regards to epistemology and metaphysics. This is used in tandem with Zhuangzi’s perspectivalism and Mozi’s accounts of ghosts to argue that a belief held now, before conclusive research has been found in regards to the metaphysics of whether we are in a simulation or not, provides a benefit to us without negatively impacting us.