The simulation hypothesis proposes that what one experiences as the real world is actually a simulated reality, such as a computer simulation in which humans are constructs.[1][2] There has been much debate over this topic in the philosophicaldiscourse, and regarding practical applications in computing.
Variations of the simulation hypothesis essentially originate from, or are offshoots of, the dream hypothesis popularized by ancient philosophers like Zhuangzi and early modern philosophers like René Descartes.[3][4] In 2003, philosopher Nick Bostromproposed the simulation argumentsuggesting that if a civilization becomes capable of creating conscious simulations, it could generate so many simulated beings that a randomly chosen conscious entity would almost certainly be in a simulation. This argument presents a trilemma:
- either such simulations are not created because of technological limitations or self-destruction;
- advanced civilizations choose not to create them;
- if advanced civilizations do create them, the number of simulations would far exceed base reality and we would therefore almost certainly be living in one.
This assumes that consciousness is not uniquely tied to biological brains but can arise from any system that implements the right computational structures and processes.[5][6]
The hypothesis is preceded by many earlier versions, and variations on the idea have also been featured in science fiction, appearing as a central plot device in many stories and films, such as Simulacron-3 (1964) and The Matrix (1999).[7]
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