PHIL 50.39 Simulation and Reality

The rapid development of virtual reality suggests that simulated worlds and simulated agents may become feasible. This raises a number of philosophical questions. Could the world I am living in be simulated? Can I know whether I am living in a simulation? Is a virtual world necessarily an illusion? Are simulated harms real harms? Could life in a virtual world be meaningful? Some of these issues are (relatively) new; others extend and sharpen traditional philosophical debates.

Instructor

Lewis

Prerequisite

Two Philosophy courses, or permission of the instructor.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:TMV

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Offered

• Fall