Futurism logo

Making the Case for Simulation Hypothesis Variants

Non Mathematical Approaches

By Everyday JunglistPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
1
What do fractals have to do with it you ask? Nothing, I just think they are cool. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Author's preface: See link here for additional info that forms that background of this discussion

Logical argument for SH1 (both ourselves and the universe are 100% simulated) — From P. Kassan, Skeptic magazine, 21.4 2016

The universe contains a vast number of stars.

Some of these stars have planets.

Some of these planets must be like Earth.

Since intelligent life arose and eventually invented computers on Earth, intelligent life must have arisen and invented computers on some of these planets.

It is (or inevitably will be) possible to simulate intelligent life inhabiting a simulated reality on a computer.

Since it’s possible, it must have been done.

There must be a vast number of such simulations on a vast number of computers on a vast number of planets.

Since there’s only one real universe but there’s a vast number of simulations, the probability that you’re living in a simulation approaches one, while the probability that you’re living in the real universe approaches zero.

Modification of the SH1. Logical argument for SH2 variant (Universe 100% real, ourselves 100% simulated)

The universe contains a vast number of stars.

Some of these stars have planets.

Some of these planets must be like Earth.

Since intelligent life arose and eventually invented computers on Earth, intelligent life must have arisen and invented computers on some of these planets.

It is (or inevitably will be) possible to simulate intelligent minds, these simulated minds may be used to inhabit artificial bodies/computers that run the simulation, which their simulated minds are programmed to accept as real bodies.

The created hybrid beings (simulated mind/artificial body thought to be real) will then be released to inhabit the real universe.

Since it’s possible, it must have been done.

There must be a vast number of such simulated beings on a vast number of actual planets.

Since there’s only one real universe but there’s a vast number of simulated beings, the probability that you’re a simulated being approaches one, while the probability that you’re a real being living in the real universe approaches zero.

Modification of the SH1 logical argument for SH3 variant (Universe 100% simulated, ourselves 100% real)

The universe contains a vast number of stars.

Some of these stars have planets.

Some of these planets must be like Earth.

Since intelligent life arose and eventually invented computers on Earth, intelligent life must have arisen and invented computers on some of these planets.

It is (or inevitably will be) possible to simulate entire universes, but it may not ever be possible to simulate consciousness or other minds.

The beings that are able to simulate entire universes but not populate them with simulated (conscious) intelligent beings will inevitably want to do so

In order to accomplish this the beings will capture or abduct real conscious beings at birth and/or create them from genetic material obtained from actual beings and use them to inhabit the simulated universe(s) via some interface

Since it’s possible, it must have been done.

There must be a vast number of such actual beings inhabiting a vast number of simulated universes

Since there’s only one real universe with only actual beings (simulated beings are not possible) but there’s a vast number of simulated universes, you must be a real being and the probability that you’re inhabiting a simulated universe approaches one, while the probability that your living in the real universe approaches zero.

pSH2 and pSH3 variants need only stipulate that total simulations of ourselves or the universe prove impossible and therefore the simulators do the next best thing and create partial simulations. The amount/level of simulation is a highly technical question which I have written about before.

transhumanism
1

About the Creator

Everyday Junglist

Practicing mage of the natural sciences (Ph.D. micro/mol bio), Thought middle manager, Everyday Junglist, Boulderer, Cat lover, No tie shoelace user, Humorist, Argan oil aficionado. Occasional LinkedIn & Facebook user

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.