Preview

Summary Of Nick Bostrom's Simulation Theory

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
573 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Summary Of Nick Bostrom's Simulation Theory
Murder is wrong, but the simulation theory might not agree with that. Nick Bostrom published a paper proposing the simulation theory; a world that exist inside a computer. Assuming Bostrom’s theory is true, then not only do we exist in an augmented virtual reality, but that we could get away with killing another human being. I will first explain the simulation theory, then state the fact that we cannot be held responsible for murder, and then finally conclude with an objection expressing that murder is still morally wrong, simulated world or no. The simulation has three components that could possibly be true. (1) First, the human race will cease to exist. With our extinction, the idea of a “posthuman” race will vanish. (2) If we managed to reach our “posthuman” stage, it’s not likely they’ll create a simulated reality that mimics their ancestors. Finally, (3) we are actually living in a simulated reality. All of which are probable, but atleast one has to be true. To briefly explain, I will focus more on the (3) third component; that we are basically living in a simulated reality. That would include the physical aspects, such as a our planet or a human body, to more intangible things like emotions or personal thoughts. The third component is vital to the concept of free will, mainly because it cannot exist. …show more content…
Being morally responsible would be like being held accountable for our actions. Having free will would also be like have another option available always. It is widely understood and agreed on that murdering people is a morally wrong decision, considering that no one would usually want to have their life ended. If anyone would commit murder, they will be presented the alternative options before the murder took place, and if they do choose to kill someone, then they will be held accountable for

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Biology 112 lab 21

    • 556 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow written by Ivring was a very interesting story that is well known around the world today. The movie was far more entertaining than reading the book If I must say so myself. Tim Burton gave a new spin to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I myself have always enjoyed anything written or directed by Tim Burton because of his sense of horror and his creative abilities. The characters are redefined even though Tim Burton strays away from the book and put his own ideas into what should happen in Sleepy Hollow, because of this the story is altertered and more lifelike and connectable. Bron who was very important in the book is even hardly recognized in the movie even though he was willing to give his life for his love Katrina. Bron who actually did give his life for Katrina in the story is horribly overlooked in the movie.…

    • 556 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eric Schlosser experiences a slaughterhouse first-hand and can not believe his eyes. The atrocities that are being performed on the animals and the retaliation by the animals leads to a very bloody site that is not open for everyone to see. Eric goes through the whole process and views all the items needed as well as steps needed for it. It is a sight that changed his view on the job.…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To an AE – humans are allowed free-will, personalities and consciences – but don’t have any reason to do anything with it…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    It is very interesting looking back at the works of Plato and Descartes in comparison to more modern works such as the blockbuster hit “The Matrix”. When examining The Matrix we see a complex world built by machines portraying to the human race a virtual world. This virtual world allows the human race to perceive a reality around them, a world built with the intention of blinding people from the ultimate reality that what they perceive to be real is an illusion.…

    • 1825 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Phl458 Week 1

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    "Free will is the capacity to respond in ways that oppose even the strongest influences. Free will is itself a causative factor, and one that can trump all others" (Ruggiero, 2019, p. 37). We all have a choice in any situation, although one's ethics or morals can influence choices, nevertheless the choice to react in one way or another is one's free will.…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Free will is something that humans have killed one another over. As human beings it is in our nature to want complete control over what is happening in our lives, however that is impossible. Being in control of our goals and choices we are able to change our lives and mold our future.…

    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Turkle’s final and most prominent issue is simulation. Simulation has become a prominent part of our culture. Simulation technology is utilized in many aspects of our culture. Turkle felt that in ten years there would be a substantial increase in the use of simulation technology. Our games, our economic and political systems, and the way architects design buildings, chemists envisage molecules, and surgeons perform operations all use simulation technology. (Turkle…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The concept of free will gives you more motivation to hand down reinforcement, whether it is positive or negative, to those around you. It also helps you accept reinforcement from others. The concept of free will is a powerful force that keeps societies working correctly. Our entire legal and social system is based on the concept of free will. Everything in society is interlocking, so if we try to change society to fit the new idea that free will is irrelevant we will find inconsistencies and injustice until a solution is found in a stable society not based on the recognition of free will. Societal upheaval would be ridiculous because it wouldn’t accomplish anything. Judgment using free will is second nature to us as humans. When asked about Hitler, a Holocaust survivor, even a determinist one, wouldn’t say, ‘He did terrible things but it wasn’t his fault because he has no control over what happens in his brain.’ Determinist ideals can only go so far before they become eclipsed by human emotion; therefore it would be ill advised to try to change society to fit the new…

    • 1666 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A key case which questioned this question would be the Darrow trial. Successfully, the Lawyer was able to reduce the death penalty to life imprisonment, blaming that it was other factors such as power that made them do this action. He therefore believed that we are all not responsible for our action other factors must also be responsible not purl down to that individual.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I would lean more towards the compatibilist view stating, unless I am the cause of my actions I am not responsible for them. As compatibilist holds that free will and determinism are compatible, we can properly understand what it means for our actions to be free so we see that a free action is doing what one wants. Believing in compatibilism doesn't mean the determinist view is false, but if it is true, we can still have free will. I believe that we make decisions based on our own desires and beliefs. It is said that compatibilists attempt to revise and weaken the commonsense notion of free will. Thomas Hobbes was the first person to articulate a compatibilist position believing that although the person is free to act on their motive, the motive is determined. In other words, he says “Everything we choose to do is strictly determined by the need to relieve the physical pressures of our bodies. Humans…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Free will is the concept that humanity has the ability to make their own choices, this suggests that humanity has a moral understanding that is inherent and God given. Some people argue that you are born with this morality and it does not develop. Christians would argue that this morality is god given, and that we merely develop it through our upbringing. If Christians accept the concept of God, then it is necessary that they view God as omniscient, this would suggest he knows everything we have done and everything we will do, thus taking away free will. However, many Christians take the view that god gave us free will after he cast Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. In this way moral responsibility can exist and there can be a differentiation between a person who acts morally and immorally because there is now the option of choice.…

    • 2022 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    While the religious community preaches its own view of free will, science sees the matter very differently. The scientific community has two main ideas concerning free will. The first of these ideas is libertarianism, which states that people are free to act on their own accord without the determinism of human nature and from any predeterminism coming from a spiritual entity, including a god. The second and more popular opinion is that of hard determinism. Hard determinism insists that no person is morally responsible for their actions because everything has a cause or causes that determine what it is. Most people believe that they are making the choices they make freely. Science says that for a person to have free choice in a decision, they must have options to choose from.…

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    To fully examine whether we are in fact free or not to make moral decisions, we must first analyse what particular factors affect our decision making. When we debate over a decision we consider/ weigh up our options, we know that we have a choice and only we can make that choice, this is known as a libertarian view. Libertarians believe that we have full responsibility of our actions and nothing else affects our decision, however genes, environment, lifestyle and our upbringing affect or sometimes might determine our choices. Determinism objects libertarianism and believes that our choices are influenced by factors other than the will of the individual, events and actions are predetermined by other events therefore freedom of choice is an illusion.…

    • 1582 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    I personally believe that we as human beings are given free will. For instance, lets say there is an all omniscient God and lets say he knows what we will do and what our destiny is but he sends you a problem to over come such as,…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 11.3 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the United States. Of this total, the top 3 countries the unauthorized immigrants derived from are El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. The nation is divided due to the variances in perspective of illegal immigration; whether you are for it or against it. Subsequently, the propaganda concerning immigration reform continues to play a prevailing role in U.S. legislations as well. Former President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 in effort to end illegal immigration, however, the contrary happened. In other words, fraudulent settlers are inevitably going to find a way to reside in the U.S. despite the tighter border control. Which will beg the question of by what means does illegal immigration damage or benefit the U.S. economy?…

    • 1148 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays