But if we're inside a simulation, on what basis do we assign such a probability? — Marchesk
Finally, it seems to rest on the assumption that the laws of physics are computable. — Marchesk
However, option 2 seems reasonably easy to deal with. We need only observe our own behavior. With existing computing power we have created many simulations - just look at the PC game market. Therefore, it's not a long shot to say advanced civilizations will behave in a similar way and create simulations. — TheMadFool
An advanced civilization would not simulate this reality because it would be utterly immoral to do so. — tom
That's a dim view of our reality. Do you think morality would have progressed in proportion to technology. Looking at the way things are technology is far far ahead of morality and there's no reason why this shouldn't be the case for all civilizations. — TheMadFool
There can't be scientific progress in the absence of certain values. In order to survive and become advanced, a civilization would require an advanced morality, culture, and probably aesthetics.
Would such people be willing to bring the suffering of humanity back into existence once? — tom
Well, to draw from our experience - animal experimentation - I don't think advanced civilizations will have any qualms about conducting tests that, perhaps, serve a greater good.
Also, look at the videogame market. It's mostly got to do with killing virtual people who have no legal standing whatsoever. — TheMadFool
So you think a civilization advanced enough to perform a vast number of computer simulations containing us, our universe, and our qualia, will perform animal testing and play crappy C21 computer games? — tom
It's not an exaggeration to think that we may be to a sufficiently advanced civilization what animals are to us. We ignore the ability of animals to suffer and may be treated likewise by an advanced race of people. — TheMadFool
Morality is inherently subjective. On Earth alone there are a plethora of different cultures with different views as to what is evil and good according to their socio-cultural background. Take, for example, the Letin Clan of Indonesia, which practices Cannibalism regularly. In this tribe Cannibalism is perceived as something which is not evil, whereas in other Western societies, it is.An advanced civilisation would not simulate this reality because it would be utterly immoral to do so. — tom
It is possible that there are an infinite number of realities with an infinite number of constraints on how many/what kind of simulations they run, and thus, you can't argue that it is more likely that there are more simulations than realities.I considered that thought. The short answer is even if there were multiple realities, each would run more simulations than itself, ultimately, there would be more simulations than realities. — TheMadFool
What is there to suggest that moral relativism could not apply to other advanced civilisations? You're arguing that it is immoral, but it is only immoral from our perspective. It could be viewed in a completely different light in that civilisation. — Javants
Animals don't have qualia, simulate them as much as you like — tom
It is possible that there are an infinite number of realities with an infinite number of constraints on how many/what kind of simulations they run, and thus, you can't argue that it is more likely that there are more simulations than realities. — Javants
This is the exact attitude an advanced civilization may have re us and our reality. — TheMadFool
Why can't moral relativism be applied to an advanced civilisation? — Javants
What evidence do you have to suppose that it must be immoral to simulate our reality? — Javants
We can have no possible understanding of the society which simulated our own, or how similar ours is to then, and thus, we can make no assumption of what can be considered 'moral' or 'immoral' by their standards, only our own. — Javants
You're connecting scientific development with developing a 'pure' morality. What basis do you make this on? Science does not necessarily progress only when certain moral principles are made in society. — Javants
It's not an attitude, it is a feature of reality. — tom
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