The simulated universe theory implies that our universe, with all its galaxies, planets and life forms, is a meticulously programmed computer simulation. In this scenario, the physical laws governing our reality are simply algorithms. The experiences we have are generated by the computational processes of an immensely advanced system.
While inherently speculative, the simulated universe theory has gained attention from scientists and philosophers due to its intriguing implications. The idea has made its mark in popular culture, across movies, TV shows and books—including the 1999 film “The Matrix.”
The earliest records of the concept that reality is an illusion are from ancient Greece. There, the question “What is the nature of our reality?” posed by Plato (427 BC) and others, gave birth to idealism. Idealist ancient thinkers such as Plato considered mind and spirit as the abiding reality. Matter, they argued, was just a manifestation or illusion.
Fast forward to modern times, and idealism has morphed into a new philosophy. This is the idea that both the material world and consciousness are part of a simulated reality. This is simply a modern extension of idealism, driven by recent technological advancements in computing and digital technologies. In both cases, the true nature of reality transcends the physical.
Within the scientific community, the concept of a simulated universe has sparked both fascination and skepticism. Some scientists suggest that if our reality is a simulation, there may be glitches or patterns within the fabric of the universe that betray its simulated nature.
However, the search for such anomalies remains a challenge. Our understanding of the laws of physics is still evolving. Ultimately, we lack a definitive framework to distinguish between simulated and non-simulated reality.
It’s an interesting thought. I don’t pretend to know an infinite beings thought process, but what does thought entail for them? Presumably an infinite being imagining our universe would come up with some universal laws, begin from singularity, and work from there event by event. How does general relativity factor in? Is the being simply doing those calculations too?
Overall, if our universe is is merely a prediction (and importantly, predictable), I just don’t see the practical difference between a perfect being capable of cheap, infinite thought and a merely clever being with a really, really powerful computer. It’s a different medium, but it doesn’t say anything different about our universe as simulation. Whether the perfect being thinks of and builds the universe in their head, or the clever universe-software developer comes up with a framework for a universe and runs it on their super computer, it might as well be the same universe from our perspective if the initial conditions and laws happened to be the same.
And both were triggered by ideas, which surely didn’t come from nowhere, but even if it did it only brings us back to the age-old question: what created the Creator? So it doesn’t really answer the “why” and “what triggered it” questions either.
Yeah, brining up such a being was merely an analogue. The actual idea I’m putting forward is there is no need for a means of “the universe” to begin. If it can, it does, and we’re simply within a figment of possibility and potential.
Why “can” it? What defines what “can” and can’t be? Why exactly should possibility imply reality? Why can’t possibility not necessarily imply reality? Seems to me like a philosophical kick the can down the road thing - which to be fair is pretty much all philosophy.
First off, chill lmao. I don’t really want to take a defensive position on this because it’s not something I do or can believe, but moreso an interesting idea that I see no clear problems with. I believe in it no more than “the universe is a simulation” or “the universe was created by some exoversal trigger”
Secondly, Math makes it possible. Or maybe some exoversal form thereof off of which our universe builds and adds to.
Thirdly, going beyond the scope of existence within time and space necessarily will kick the can down the road to some extent. That’s an absolutely daft complaint given the subject.
Sorry if I came across as aggressive, it’s just fun to think about.