Virtual Worlds

Thanks to advances in computer technology ordinary consumers now have access to virtual reality systems. Although the virtual worlds these systems can generate are rudimentary, many anticipate that further advances in technology will make it possible to create fully realistic Matrix-style virtual realities. This technology gives rise to a number of philosophical questions. In what sense can virtual worlds really be worlds? Is there is a strong probability that our own world is a virtual world?  Will it be possible to upload ourselves into virtual worlds, in the way many futurists envisage?

Publications

Dainton, B. “Natural Evil: The Simulation Solution”, Religious Studies, 2019

Dainton, B. “From Deep Thought to Digital Metaphysics”, Philosophy and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Palgrave, 2012

Dainton, B. “On Simulations and Singularities”, Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2012

Dainton, B. “Innocence Lost”, www.simulation-argument.com/dainton.pdf, 2002

Hauskeller, M. “Messy Bodies: from Cosmetic Surgery to Mind-Uploading”, Transhumanity Journal, 2013

Hauskeller, M.  “My Brain, my Mind, and I”, in: International Journal of Machine Consciousness 4/1, 2012

Hauskeller, M. “The Experience Machine”, in: Think 8, 2004