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Are We Living in a SIMULATION? | John Buck Vs Al Washburn | Think Club Debate

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September 25, 2019

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as posted by the channel

Truth always wins

(Affirmative) John Buck

(Negative) Al Washburn

(Moderator) Adam Friended

The simulation hypothesis or simulation theory proposes that all of reality, including the Earth and the universe, is in fact an artificial simulation, most likely a computer simulation. Some versions rely on the development of a simulated reality, a proposed technology that would seem realistic enough to convince its inhabitants the simulation was real. The hypothesis has been a central plot device of many science fiction stories and films.

Nick Bostrom's premise:

Many works of science fiction as well as some forecasts by serious technologists and futurologists predict that enormous amounts of computing power will be available in the future. Let us suppose for a moment that these predictions are correct. One thing that later generations might do with their super-powerful computers is run detailed simulations of their forebears or of people like their forebears. Because their computers would be so powerful, they could run a great many such simulations. Suppose that these simulated people are conscious (as they would be if the simulations were sufficiently fine-grained and if a certain quite widely accepted position in the philosophy of mind is correct). Then it could be the case that the vast majority of minds like ours do not belong to the original race but rather to people simulated by the advanced descendants of an original race.

Nick Bostrom's conclusion:

Nick Bostrom in 2014

It is then possible to argue that, if this were the case, we would be rational to think that we are likely among the simulated minds rather than among the original biological ones.

Therefore, if we don't think that we are currently living in a computer simulation, we are not entitled to believe that we will have descendants who will run lots of such simulations of their forebears.

— Nick Bostrom, Are you living in a computer simulation?, 2003[1]

Show notes:

Al Washburn

#Simulation #Theory #Debate

Special thanks to my Think Club patrons Erin Collins, Kiwich, Xofrats, R, John Buck, Phalanx, Brad Camp, Mac Kennon, Rosey, rexbenedictus, Itay Lutzky, John Le Scone, Josh Henderson, Luis Perez, Kalaanidhi Ananda, Bob Balabuch, Josh Cornelius, Paul Guthrie, Mark Bennett, Jesse Regnart and Duane Bentzen. Thank you so much for your continued support.

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Affirmative John BuckNegative Al WashburnModerator Adam FriendedNick Bostrom'sNick BostromNick Bostrom AreDuane Bentzen ThankJoin My Email List

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