Sign-In
Cart
The Simulation Unplugged: A Critical Assessment of Bostrom's Simulation Argument
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781916345126
Publisher: Zouev Elite Publishing
Published: May 1 2021
Pages: 110
Weight: 0.63
Height: 0.31 Width: 5.83 Depth: 8.27
Language: English
This book provides a critical assessment of Nick Bostrom's simulation argument. The argument states that at least one of these statements must be true:
[P1] Almost all civilizations will not reach a posthuman stage.
[P2] Almost all posthuman civilizations will have no interest in creating ancestor simulations.
[P3] We are almost definitely living in a computer simulation.
I examine the soundness of Bostrom's argument by questioning some of his premises. I then propose a few modifications that address the issues raised. Thereafter, I suggest that Bostrom is wrong to assign equal credence to each outcome. Instead, I argue that outcome [P1] should be given preference because it requires the least amount of speculation and additional assumptions.
Section 1 introduces key concepts and explains why the Simulation Argument is worth our philosophical attention. Section 2 evaluates the two key assumptions underlying Bostrom's argument. Section 3 presents a formal mathematical exposition of the Simulation Argument. This section also discusses several problems with the argument and suggests how they can be overcome. Section 4 looks at each of the three outcomes and discusses how we should best interpret them. I conclude by agreeing with Bostrom that the simulation hypothesis, however unlikely, is fundamentally different from other well-known scepticism scenarios.
Also in
Philosophy
Make Peace Before the Sun Goes Down: The Long Encounter of Thomas Merton and His Abbot, James Fox
Lipsey, Roger
Paperback
Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies
Descartes, Rene
Paperback
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Holiday, Ryan
Hanselman, Stephen
Hardcover
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition: The Global Bestseller
Mackesy, Charlie
Hardcover
Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts
Burkeman, Oliver
Hardcover
The Obstacle Is the Way Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph
Holiday, Ryan
Hardcover
CSB She Reads Truth Bible, Rose Gold Leathertouch: Notetaking Space, Devotionals, Reading Plans, Easy-To-Read Font
Csb Bibles by Holman
Myers, Raechel
Williams, Amanda Bible
Hardcover
My Big TOE Awakening Discovery Inner Workings: The Complete My Big TOE Trilogy Unifying Philosophy, Physics and Metaphysics
Campbell, Thomas
Hardcover
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
Godfrey-Smith, Peter
Paperback
The Ethical Slut, Third Edition: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love
Hardy, Janet W.
Easton, Dossie
Paperback
Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan
Yoda, Hiroko
Hardcover
Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change
Madva, Alex
Kelly, Daniel
Brownstein, Michael
Hardcover
Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity's Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism
Machado de Oliveira, Vanessa
Paperback
Consolations II: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words
Whyte, David
Hardcover
Capturing Kahanamoku: How a Surfing Legend and a Scientific Obsession Redefined Race and Culture
Rossi, Michael
Hardcover
Self-Reliance and Nature: The Complete First and Second Series of Emerson's Essays
Emerson, Ralph Waldo
Hardcover
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
Robertson, Donald J.
Paperback
Art of Living: The Classical Mannual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness
Lebell, Sharon
Epictetus
Paperback
The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient
Irvine, William B.
Paperback
Plato and the Tyrant: The Fall of Greece's Greatest Dynasty and the Making of a Philosophic Masterpiece
Romm, James
Hardcover
The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force
Schwartz, Jeffrey M.
Begley, Sharon
Paperback
Revolt Against the Modern World: Politics, Religion, and Social Order in the Kali Yuga
Evola, Julius
Hardcover
The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us about Living a Good Life
Rowlands, Mark
Hardcover
The Kemetic Tree of Life Ancient Egyptian Metaphysics and Cosmology for Higher Consciousness
Ashby, Muata
Paperback