In the previous article, we learned how the brain receives information from our senses and then reconstructs “reality” for us. This process is known as Saltory Conduction and it can be fooled and project a different interpretation from others observing the same incident. In this article, we will take the discussion further and question whether or not we are real if the reality around us is just part of a “Matrix” where we are only pawns in some advanced video game. Weird yes, but all is possible in this universe – if this universe exists of course!
So, do we exist? Rene Descartes in 1637 decided that the answer to this question was “I think, therefore I am.” If this is not reality, then what could it be? If we take the scenario of being in some simulation, as was written about in 2019, by Rizwan Virk, called “The Simulation Hypotheses,” then we are left with one of three possibilities of how this might come about. The three possibilities were speculated upon by an Oxford University philosopher by the name of Nick Bostrom.
If we are part of a simulation, then we should assume that it would need a very advanced civilisation to accomplish it. This civilisation could either come from the Earth (because we would not be aware of how advanced the real human race was), or it would be constructed and played by an alien civilisation. Bostrom concluded that any human-like civilisation could have one of three fates.
The first is that no civilisation has ever existed long enough to be able to produce such a sophisticated game. His second fate was that a civilisation had reached this level of attainment, but then decided not to use it. Lastly, many civilisations have reached this advanced ability and therefore, not only could we be part of one, but it is possible that there are more “virtual” civilisations around than real ones.
So, it might be possible that we only exist within some super-advanced game scenario, but, I tend to think not. Perhaps the answer lies in the subject of quantum physics. I discussed some aspects of this science several weeks back, so you may remember that it deals with the world of sub-atomic particles, like electrons. One of the theories of quantum physics is that everything is made up of information rather than physical objects. This is known as a “field of possibilities.”
This was summed up by the physicist, John Wheeler, who said, “Anything we see as physical is the result of bits of information.” If we take this on board, then it makes the Simulation Hypothesis more believable. There could be one way to find out if this is the case and that is to build our super-advanced simulation. At present, it is way out of our ability, but some scientists believe that with our rate of technological advances, we may become capable of it by the end of this century.
Until then, I will rely on my guiding principle in life and that is to follow Occam’s Razor which states that to explain something, you should make the least number of assumptions as possible. In other words, go with the likely commonsense reason until the evidence tells you differently.
John Pullen 