Clear all
Work #880 · Mid

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Nick Bostrom
2003 (Philosophical Quarterly) · English
Philosophical paper · Early-twenty-first-century analytic philosophy

Bostrom's 2003 paper formulating the simulation argument

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Are You Living in a Computer Simulation? (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Discrete
Time · Freedom Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Non-Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Non-Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Partial
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Discrete

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Possibly the simulated time of a base-civilization.

Space

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

The simulated three-dimensional space.

Matter

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Simulated matter at simulated resolution.

Observer

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

The simulated conscious observer.

Energy

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Simulated energy as computational substrate.

Information

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

The simulation as informational substrate.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Bostrom's Simulation Argument: foundational for the contemporary philosophical engagement with simulation theory; central reference for transhumanism and modal realism about virtual worlds.