How sure can we be that the universe is real and not a simulation of life? Is what we see and feel around us real life, or do we exist within some kind of computer simulation?
How can we know, let alone be sure that we are not "bots" in a software product run by players?
Of course, this may sound like the plot of The Matrix. However, the philosophical idea of our life within a simulated universe is one that some scientists attending the 17th annual Isaac Asimov conference at the American Museum of Natural History earlier this month are taking quite seriously.
The debate on this issue was orchestrated by Neil de Grasse Tyson, bringing several big thinkers onto the stage to discuss the likelihood that we are living our priceless lives in a "simulator" of a universe that is not really real.
One theory - from the philosopher Nick Bostrom - suggests that if it is possible for humanity to create such an indistinctly realistic imitation of the universe, then rather than not that we are actually living inside such a universe right this second.
There is also the possibility of a simulated universe being created by people already living inside the simulated universe. Development according to this type of scenario can lead to the formation of an endless chain of simulated universes - each world existing inside the other.
- You are not confused yet? Then we move even deeper into the problem of simulated simulation of the universe.
If such simulations of real life do exist, then the question arises: could we ever figure it out? The answer is no way. We will not get convincing experimentally verified evidence that we are not living in simulation, said philosopher David Chalmers.
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Because any evidence, if we ever get it, will be modeled! Such is the philosophical trap for the mind.
In the end, panellists commented on how likely they thought we were to live in a simulated universe - some estimate it as 42%. Others, though, argue that there is little or no chance for this "technologically insane" hypothesis to exist.
The term itself describes the phenomenon of simulation of reality as the inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from the fantasy built in the matrix of the universe. Interestingly, the idea that came from science fiction writers and philosophy, has gained, as we see, significant popularity.
Meanwhile, discussing the hypothesis of a "simulated universe", the following is formed: okay, I accept the probability that we live in a "simulator" of reality. Is this critical to us?