Let's hope we're not living in a simulation

Abstract In Reality+ , David Chalmers suggests that it wouldn't be too bad if we lived in a computer simulation. I argue on the contrary that if we live in a simulation, we ought to attach a significant conditional credence to its being a small or brief simulation. Our existence and the existence of many of the people and things we care about would then unfortunately depend on contingencies difficult to assess and beyond our control. Furthermore, all the badness of the world would appear to reflect the gods’ intentional cruelty or callous disregard. A large, stable rock is a more dependable and less axiologically troubling fundamental ground for reality.

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Publication Details

Journal
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
Published
2024-11-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.13125
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.92
Controls
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article

Let's hope we're not living in a simulation

Eric Schwitzgebel
3 citations
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
1.92
article

Let's hope we're not living in a simulation

Eric Schwitzgebel
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Abstract In Reality+ , David Chalmers suggests that it wouldn't be too bad if we lived in a computer simulation. I argue on the contrary that if we live in a simulation, we ought to attach a significant conditional credence to its being a small or brief simulation. Our existence and the existence of many of the people and things we care about would then unfortunately depend on contingencies difficult to assess and beyond our control. Furthermore, all the badness of the world would appear to reflect the gods’ intentional cruelty or callous disregard. A large, stable rock is a more dependable and less axiologically troubling fundamental ground for reality.

Philosophy and Phenomenological ResearchVol. 109(3)
University of California, Riverside (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
1.92
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