What is the belief in simulated reality called?

Question

Let's assume that I believe I am the only 'human' to exist. Let's actually assume that I may only be a mind - I might even be nothing more than an intellegent 'computer program' in part of the system that models the universe. So, everything else around me is part of that simulation - maybe I am too, but I can only understand my own thoughts and perceive things from my own senses (that are all part of that system). What is this belief called?

I thought it might be solipsism, but the more I read the more I realise that solipsism doesn't really describe the belief that there *may* be something real, we just aren't in it and, perhaps, we can never find it. Perhaps everything is just a simulation of everything else. Perhaps it's all in the mind of Shiva, I don't know - the point is, what's this all called?! It's driving me mad when people ask me 'what do you believe' having to try to explain to them that I don't even believe they exist!!! A one word response would be easier!

darlingthatsfabulous: No no no, I constantly get that response. Forget about the Matrix. People already follow that as a religion but totally misunderstand the film (treating Neo as though he is a human messiah, when in actual fact the 'real world' in the Matrix is no more real than the matrix itself, and there is no reason to assume the human race exists at all, it could all be part of an ellaborate thought-experiment). I want to avoid refering to the Matrix because all to often people don't understand the philosophy behind it.

Jungone: Maybe it is, but that's not what I asked. I want to know what the belief in simulated reality is called.

the_boho_hobo: Sanity is defined by the majority, and in a simulated reality there is no reason to believe anyone else exists (not even yourself) - therefore sanity is defined by the system to keep you under control. Don't be afraid to let your sanity slip away. Read the Allegory of the Cave - the people still enchained would believe the enlightened to be insane.

Simon D: Every time I talk about this I get the same answer from someone. Think about it this way, I am stuck in this game and there are only two ways to get out of any game: win or lose (remember, giving up is another way of losing). So, how can I lose? I can lose by dying (like all games, but I don't know if, like some games, I'll just come back around for another shot). How can I win? Well, I don't know - but I do believe everyone else is part of the game. I don't think I want to lose (although maybe, ultimately, that is the only way to end the game) so the only option is to keep on playing. That's why I interract with people and the universe rather than becoming a recluse and either killing myself or waiting to die - because I'm playing the game waiting for clues about how to win and, ultimately, escape this reality.

Simon D: It's not necessarily that I believe I am under the control or machines or that the universe is here for my fulfilment. I don't even know if the universe as we percieve it (space and time, matter, energy, etc etc etc) is at all real. Of course it's all I can perceive, it's all I have ever known and my mind is programmed to perceive reality in the way it's presented to me - but maybe it's totally wrong. So, it would be naive to say 'machines have me locked away in a prison for my mind' because that assumes that firstly I am a physical being with a brain and secondly that machines are real too. There is no reason to believe any of this is real - it could all be part of a much more complicated simulation. So no, I don't believe the universe is necessarily here for me, because I might just be another program in the simulation, as might you be. You might be just as real as me, but also just as real as sonic the hedgehog to a much more complicated universe.

Spike: Dude, you really have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? this is why I want a simple one-word answer. Picture the conversation here (below):

Person X: "Hello"
Mawkish: "Hello"
Person X: "I'm a Jehovah's Witness and I'm here to tell you about how much God loves you"
Mawkish: "I'm sorry, I'm not interested"
Person X: "What do you believe in?"
Mawkish: "I believe that you and I may or may not exist in a reality that may or may not be simulated and may or may not at all appear to be how we perceive it because it may be controlled or maybe not controlled externally maybe or maybe not. I don't believe necessarily that I am the only person in existance but I also don't necessarily believe that you exist, or me, or anything, in the same way Lara Croft doesn't really exist except bound by the rules of the game in which she is placed"
Person X: "You're crazy, I'm calling the nut-house".

Now, picture the next conversation (below):

Person X: "Hello"
Mawkish: "Hello"
Person X: "I'm a Jehovah's Witness and I'm here to tell you about how much God loves you"
Mawkish: "I'm sorry, I'm not interested"
Person X: "What do you believe in?"
Mawkish: "I am a "
Person X: "I don't know what that is, but I will leave you alone whilst I find out so that I am forearmed to combat your beliefs should we meet in the future".

See, much shorter.

ellmanmichael: Thank you, I will go and look at Cartesian Dualism again to see how relevent it is - it certainly might be what I'm thinking of. You ask why I wouldn't seek a simpler solution. Well, I don't know.

I'm only 23, but since I was about 12 I've been 'searching for the answer'. I've done the western religions (when I say 'done them', I literally mean 'experienced and believed them'). I've done the eastern religions. It's still not quite right in my mind - something's still wrong. Materialism was the simplest explanation, but it makes one big assuption: 'what I perceive is always real', but when one takes drugs one's perception changes, but does reality? You'd say 'no, and everyone elses' perception doesn't change because you've taken drugs', but how can I possible know that when I only perceive them in the same way I perceive everything else. It's a horrible cycle and I wish I could turn off, but I can't. Something is wrong with the universe and I want out.

Straight away I don't really agree with Cartesian Dualism. It assumes that the mind is real and in some way separate from the body. What if the brain was simulated, and the thoughts, intelligence, emotions etc were bi-products of that simulation. I.e. what if the mind IS contained in the brain, but the brain isn't real? The mind would be as physical as the brain, but neither would necessarily be real.

The 'baddies' in computer games, for example, have a certain level of 'intelligence'. They respond to the virtual stimuli they encounter in a pre-programmed way. We do the same thing, but we perform more processes and store more data. So, what if we're just parts of a computer program? See what I mean? In a game you would never simulate some biological module to process information, it wouldn't be practical, but what if memory and processor speed weren't an issue. Infinite memory, instantaneous calculations, perhaps it would be more memory efficient to simulate a 'brain' than to pre-program explicitly every stimulatic response (if that's a word). It's just tidy programming.

Answer 1

Simulated reality is a supposition at the beginning of several systems of philosophical thought, the most well-known of which is that of Descartes. But there is no organized belief system based on simulated reality.

Unfortunately, therefore, there is no "short answer."

More unfortunate still, Simon D is right. The documented evidence is overwhelming.

Answer 2

In a very short answer Cartesian dualism. More specifically in the early 17th century (Way before the Matrix) Rene Descartes meditated on the possibility that the mind and body were two distinct "substances." The body was a physical substance that possibly existed, but one can not have complete knowledge of its existence because it was outside ones own mind. The mind was an non-physical substance, and the only thing you can actually know is that your are a thinking substance. For Descartes this was the foundation of all other knowledge, " I think therefore I am." Keep in mind (pardon the pun) that the "mind" and the "brain" are not one and the same. The problem for Descartes and philosophers today is how do a purely physical and a purely non-physical substance coexist and interact. You asked what your belief was called and this is it, you are a Cartesian dualist. I am in no way attempting to pass judgment on your belief but as a philosopher it behooves me to ask you why you would not assume a simpler hypothesis and test against that. For example that your mind and your body act together and in conjunction with the real world. I understand the possibility of such a situation as you have described in you question but do you have any real reasons to believe it to true.

Answer 3

You've got something read some Bertrand Russell and you might learn a thing or two, I am like you, if I cannot see it or hear it maybe it doesn't exist. What we see and hear and think is merely a video stream in to our skulls. I think that the mindset that you are referring to could be described as a sort of existentialism.

Answer 4

Both psychopaths and sociopaths believe in something similar.
Schizophrenics believe the opposite, that unreal things are real.
If you believe the universe was created for you and all those around you are merely machines that exist for your fulfilment - then you are a psychopath.
But then if what you said is true, explain why you would be asking this question of us?

Answer 5

Sorry couldn't read all your question, too long, too many long words. But have the answer anyway. I'd just make a word if I were you 'cos whatever that was all about no one would understand anyway.

Suggest you call it "simulated reality" and work on a clearer explanation.

Answer 6

So when you can't see something it doesn't exist? Hmmm, let me think, so it's like when another person leaves a room, they stop existing? Like when you play peekaboo with a baby and cover your face, the baby can't see you anymore, so it searches for you because it can't see you and therefore assumes you aren't there? My advice would be to grow up, you're acting like a baby! ;D

Answer 7

Deluded.
Sorry, but that's the best thing I could think of. I often have the same beliefs when I'm delusional. Part of my Mental Health problems.

Answer 8

You are very Deep indeed!
As for the belief, I think it should be call whatever you want to call it because you are the only thing real according to that belief.

Answer 9

Bob

Answer 10

Dagoth the dreaming god